Definition

1. Proper noun:

   • (Greek mythology) A wise old counselor to the Greeks at Troy: In Homer's Iliad, Nestor is the aged king of Pylos, renowned for his wisdom, eloquence, and experience. He serves as a trusted advisor to the Greek leaders, especially Agamemnon and Achilles.

2. Noun:

   • A genus of Psittacidae (parrots): A taxonomic genus within the family Psittacidae, comprising large, long-lived, and intelligent parrots native to New Zealand, such as the kea and the kākā.
   • (By extension, often lowercase) A wise and experienced old man; a venerable counselor or mentor: Used as a common noun to describe a person who, like the mythological figure, is respected for their age, wisdom, and sound advice.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun (Mythology):

  • In the epic, Nestor often tried to mediate disputes among the Greek heroes with his stories and counsel.
  • The character of Nestor represents the voice of wisdom and experience in a time of youthful passion and conflict.

• Noun (Zoology):

  • The genus *Nestor includes two surviving species: the kea (Nestor notabilis) and the kākā (Nestor meridionalis).*
  • Conservation efforts are crucial for the parrots of the *Nestor genus.*

• Noun (Figurative):

  • After fifty years in the industry, he became the nestor of the company, guiding every major decision.
  • The professor was considered the nestor of medieval history studies at the university.

Advanced Usage

• "To play Nestor": To act as a wise counselor or to give advice in a manner reminiscent of the mythological figure.
  • In the board meeting, the senior partner felt compelled to play Nestor and urge caution.

Variants and Related Words

• Nestorian (adj): Pertaining to Nestor or his wisdom (figurative). ()
  • He offered a few Nestorian words of advice before the team began the project.
• Kea: (), an alpine parrot known for its curiosity and intelligence.
• Kākā: (), a forest-dwelling parrot.

Synonyms

• Sage: A profoundly wise person.
• Elder statesman: An experienced and respected person in a particular field.
• Mentor: An experienced and trusted advisor.

Related Idioms

• A Nestor of [a field]: A standard phrase used to denote the most respected senior figure in a specific area of knowledge or activity.
  • He was widely regarded as a Nestor of constitutional law.

Noun

1. a genus of Psittacidae
2. (Greek mythology) a wise old counselor to the Greeks at Troy