catilinarian: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very lowFormal, literary, historical
Quick answer
What does “catilinarian” mean?
Relating to or characteristic of Catiline, a Roman conspirator, typically describing seditious, conspiratorial, or treasonous behavior.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Relating to or characteristic of Catiline, a Roman conspirator, typically describing seditious, conspiratorial, or treasonous behavior.
Pertaining to a plotter or conspirator; involving violent and revolutionary schemes against a government.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning; term is equally rare in both varieties.
Connotations
Historical allusion to Roman history; academic or rhetorical usage.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary usage; appears mostly in historical texts or as a stylistic choice.
Grammar
How to Use “catilinarian” in a Sentence
(Adj) + nounOf + (Adj) + natureVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “catilinarian” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- His speech had a catilinarian tone, full of revolutionary fervour.
American English
- The senator's catilinarian rhetoric alarmed the establishment.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Almost never used.
Academic
Rare, in historical or political studies referencing Roman history or conspiracy theories.
Everyday
Virtually unknown.
Technical
Not applicable.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “catilinarian”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “catilinarian”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “catilinarian”
- Confusing with 'caterpillar' or 'cathedral'. Mispronunciation as /kəˈtɪlɪnɛriən/. Using as a noun for a person (rare).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an extremely rare word, mostly found in historical or literary contexts.
Rarely; it is primarily an adjective. The noun form would be 'Catilinarian' (capitalized) to refer to a follower of Catiline.
It derives from Lucius Sergius Catilina (Catiline), a Roman politician who led a conspiracy in 63 BC.
It appears in some translations of Cicero's orations against Catiline and in historical analyses of conspiracies.
Relating to or characteristic of Catiline, a Roman conspirator, typically describing seditious, conspiratorial, or treasonous behavior.
Catilinarian is usually formal, literary, historical in register.
Catilinarian: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkatɪlɪˈnɛːrɪən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkædələˈnɛriən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to this word.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'Catiline' + '-arian' — like a librarian of conspiracies, but for Catiline's plots.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONSPIRACY IS A HISTORICAL SHADOW.
Practice
Quiz
What does 'catilinarian' primarily describe?