You are currently browsing the monthly archive for February, 2009.
It’s been a while since I’ve posted, and since school has started again, I still won’t have much time to post. If anything, I figured I could post the etymology of some words. At least it’s something. I enjoy etymology, and I hope you do too. :)
Etymology of Stoic
Zeno of Citium, Creator of Stoicism
Common Definition: indifferent to pleasure or pain.
From The Online Etymology Dictionary:
1382, “philosopher of the school founded by Zeno,” from L. stoicus, from Gk. stoikosstoaStoa Poikile “the Painted Porch,” the great hall in Athens (decorated with frescoes depicting the Battle of Marathon) where Zeno taught (see stoa). “pertaining to a member of or the teachings of the school founded by Zeno (c.334-c.262 B.C.E.), characterized by austere ethical doctrines,” lit. “pertaining to a portico,” from “porch,” specifically
Meaning “person who represses feelings or endures patiently” first recorded 1579. The adj. is recorded from 1596 in the “repressing feelings” sense, 1607 in the philosophical sense; earlier stoical (1432 of philosophers, 1571 as “indifferent to pleasure or pain”).
Recent Comments