anabasis: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Literary, Historical, Formal, Specialised
Quick answer
What does “anabasis” mean?
A journey or march up from the coast or inland, especially a military advance into the interior.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A journey or march up from the coast or inland, especially a military advance into the interior.
Any difficult, arduous upward journey or progression; a large-scale advance or expedition into a region.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage. The word is equally rare and specialised in both varieties.
Connotations
Connotes historical/classical scholarship, military history, or literary erudition. Often used deliberately for stylistic effect.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general usage. Most common in historical, classical studies, and high-literary contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “anabasis” in a Sentence
The [military force] began its anabasis into [region].The narrative describes the arduous anabasis of the [group].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “anabasis” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The narrative does not contain a verb form for 'anabasis'.
American English
- The narrative does not contain a verb form for 'anabasis'.
adverb
British English
- The narrative does not contain an adverb form for 'anabasis'.
American English
- The narrative does not contain an adverb form for 'anabasis'.
adjective
British English
- The anabatic winds aided their climb. (Note: 'anabatic' is the related adjective).
American English
- The anabatic flow was studied by meteorologists. (Note: 'anabatic' is the related adjective).
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Almost never used. Potential metaphorical use for 'a major strategic expansion into new markets' (e.g., 'the company's anabasis into Asia').
Academic
Used in Classics, Ancient History, and Literary Studies to refer to Xenophon's work or the historical event.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Rare. Could be used in historical military analysis or metaphorically in certain literary critiques.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “anabasis”
- Using it to mean any journey (it implies difficulty and an upward/inward direction).
- Mispronouncing as /ænəˈbeɪsɪs/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The 'Anabasis' of Xenophon, which describes the expedition of Cyrus the Younger and the subsequent retreat of the Ten Thousand Greek mercenaries.
Typically, no. Its core meaning involves a march or journey *up from the coast* or *into the interior*, so it strongly implies a land-based, inward/upward movement.
The direct opposite is 'katabasis', which means a journey down to the coast, a descent, or a retreat.
No. It is a very low-frequency, specialised term. You will most likely encounter it in historical, classical, or highly literary contexts.
A journey or march up from the coast or inland, especially a military advance into the interior.
Anabasis is usually literary, historical, formal, specialised in register.
Anabasis: in British English it is pronounced /əˈnabəsɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /əˈnæbəsɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[one's] personal anabasis (a metaphor for a difficult life journey).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Anna's basis was a difficult climb.' The word sounds like 'upward basis' and relates to going up.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A JOURNEY / PROGRESS IS UPWARD MOTION (e.g., 'his anabasis from poverty to success').
Practice
Quiz
In its modern metaphorical use, 'anabasis' best describes: