aquinas: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Academic
Quick answer
What does “aquinas” mean?
A reference to Thomas Aquinas, a highly influential medieval theologian and philosopher.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A reference to Thomas Aquinas, a highly influential medieval theologian and philosopher.
Used attributively to refer to his body of work, his philosophical and theological system (Thomism), or institutions named after him.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage.
Connotations
Carries the same academic and historical weight in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency outside academic, philosophical, or theological discourse in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “aquinas” in a Sentence
Proper noun: N/AAttributive noun: Aquinas scholar, Aquinas studiesVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “aquinas” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The Aquinas lecture series is held annually.
- Her thesis is an Aquinas study.
American English
- He took an Aquinas seminar on natural law.
- The Aquinas Center promotes Catholic thought.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Central term in medieval philosophy, theology, and intellectual history courses.
Everyday
Extremely rare, except in specific religious or highly educated circles.
Technical
Key figure in Thomistic philosophy, natural law theory, and Catholic theology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “aquinas”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “aquinas”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “aquinas”
- Misspelling as 'Aquinus' or 'Aquinis'. Using it as a common noun.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Thomas Aquinas was canonised as a saint in the Catholic Church in 1323.
Thomism is the philosophical and theological school that arose from the teachings and thought of Thomas Aquinas.
Extremely rarely. It is overwhelmingly used as a surname reference to the historical figure.
His most famous and influential work is the 'Summa Theologica' (Summary of Theology).
A reference to Thomas Aquinas, a highly influential medieval theologian and philosopher.
Aquinas is usually formal, academic in register.
Aquinas: in British English it is pronounced /əˈkwaɪnəs/, and in American English it is pronounced /əˈkwaɪnəs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To pull an Aquinas (very rare, informal academic slang meaning to synthesize faith and reason systematically)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
A QUIness synthesises questions: Aquinas is known for his 'Quaestiones' (questions) in his works.
Conceptual Metaphor
AQUINAS IS A FOUNDATION (for theological reasoning).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is Aquinas primarily studied?