epicurean
/,epikjuə'ri:ən/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective:
- Devoted to refined and luxurious sensuous pleasure, especially that derived from fine food and drink: Describes a person, lifestyle, or attitude that cultivates and enjoys sophisticated, often luxurious, sensory pleasures.
- Relating to the philosophy of Epicurus or Epicureanism: Pertaining to the ancient Greek school of thought founded by Epicurus, which emphasized the pursuit of pleasure (particularly the absence of pain and mental disturbance) as the highest good.
Noun:
- A person devoted to refined sensuous enjoyment, especially that of fine food and drink: Someone who cultivates a discriminating taste for high-quality, luxurious pleasures, particularly gastronomic ones.
Usage Examples
Adjective:
- They led an epicurean lifestyle, traveling the world to dine at the finest restaurants.
- The banquet was an epicurean delight, featuring rare truffles and vintage wines.
- His epicurean philosophy was more about savoring simple, high-quality ingredients than about excess.
Noun:
- As a true epicurean, she could distinguish between dozens of olive oil varieties by taste alone.
- The club was a haven for epicureans who appreciated rare cheeses and aged spirits.
Advanced Usage
- Philosophical Context: In its original philosophical sense, "Epicurean" (often capitalized) refers specifically to the teachings of Epicurus, which advocated for a life of modest, tranquil pleasure achieved through knowledge, friendship, and the avoidance of pain, a nuance sometimes contrasted with the modern connotation of indulgence.
- The poet's work reflects a deeply Epicurean search for ataraxia, or peace of mind.
Variants and Related Words
- Epicure (n): A person who takes particular pleasure in fine food and drink. This is a close synonym for the noun form of "epicurean."
- Epicureanism (n): The philosophical system of Epicurus or the lifestyle associated with refined pleasure.
- Epicurely (adv, rare): In an epicurean manner.
Synonyms
- Adjective: Hedonistic, sybaritic, luxurious, sensual, pleasure-seeking, gourmet.
- Noun: Gourmet, gastronome, bon vivant, hedonist, sybarite.
Antonyms
- Adjective: Ascetic, austere, abstemious, Spartan.
- Noun: Ascetic, puritan.
Related Phrases and Idioms
- Epicurean delight/feast/pleasure: A common collocation used to describe an experience of great sensory, especially gustatory, pleasure.
- The chocolate tasting was an epicurean delight for the senses.
- To live an epicurean life: To live a life dedicated to the pursuit of refined pleasures.
- After retiring, he dedicated himself to living an epicurean life in the countryside.
Adjective
- displaying luxury and furnishing gratification to the senses
- an epicurean banquet
- enjoyed a luxurious suite with a crystal chandelier and thick oriental rugs
- Lucullus spent the remainder of his days in voluptuous magnificence
- a chinchilla robe of sybaritic lavishness
- devoted to pleasure
- a hedonic thrill
- lives of unending hedonistic delight
- epicurean pleasures
- of Epicurus or epicureanism
- Epicurean philosophy
Noun
- a person devoted to refined sensuous enjoyment (especially good food and drink)