cicero
C1Formal, Academic, Literary, Historical
Definition
Meaning
A Roman statesman, orator, and philosopher (106–43 BC), Marcus Tullius Cicero.
A unit of measurement for typography (12-point type, also spelled 'cicero'); metaphorically, any eloquent speaker or writer.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
When referring to the person, 'Cicero' is a proper noun (capitalised). The typographic unit is technical and used primarily in European printing. The metaphorical use ('a Cicero') is now archaic.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The typographic unit 'cicero' is more common in British and European printing contexts. The metaphorical use is equally rare in both varieties.
Connotations
In historical/academic contexts, connotes classical learning and eloquence.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general discourse; higher in classical studies, history, and historical fiction.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
be compared to Ciceroquote [someone/thing] (from Cicero)study the rhetoric of CiceroVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A Cicero of the forum (archaic)”
- “To out-Cicero Cicero (to be more eloquent than the most eloquent)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used, except perhaps metaphorically in a speech: 'He was the Cicero of the boardroom.'
Academic
Common in Classics, History, Political Science, Philosophy, and Rhetoric departments.
Everyday
Rare. Might appear in crossword puzzles or as a cultural reference.
Technical
In typography (especially European), refers to a measure of 12 Didot points (≈ 4.511 mm).
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- His Ciceronian prose was admired.
- The style was almost Ciceronian in its balance.
American English
- She delivered a Ciceronian philippic against the proposal.
- He has a Ciceronian command of language.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Cicero was a famous Roman.
- We read a short text by Cicero in Latin class.
- The lawyer spoke like Cicero.
- Cicero's writings on government influenced the Founding Fathers of the United States.
- The typographer specified the margin width in ciceros, not picas.
- The senator's Ciceronian oratory, replete with antithesis and anaphora, held the chamber spellbound.
- Though often cited as a paragon of republican virtue, Cicero's political manoeuvring was decidedly pragmatic.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Cicero SIS-er-oh spoke so slow, with rhetoric's ancient, measured flow.'
Conceptual Metaphor
ELOQUENCE IS CICERO (source domain: a historical figure; target domain: the quality of persuasive speaking).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'цицеро' (the typographic unit, same meaning).
- The name is not translated, unlike 'Цицерон'. Ensure correct Latin/English spelling in academic work.
- The metaphorical use ('a Cicero') may be less intuitive than the Russian 'Цицерон' as a symbol of eloquence.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'Cicero' (with one 'c') or 'Ciccero'.
- Mispronouncing as /saɪˈsɪərəʊ/ or /ˈkɪkərəʊ/.
- Using the lowercase 'c' when referring to the person.
- Confusing Cicero with Caesar or other Roman figures.
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'cicero' in a technical, non-historical context?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but rarely and archaically. You might see 'a Cicero' to mean 'an eloquent speaker'. The related adjective 'Ciceronian' is more common.
In English, it's /ˈsɪsərəʊ/ (SIS-uh-roh) in British English and /ˈsɪsəroʊ/ (SIS-uh-roh) in American English. The classical Latin pronunciation is different (/ˈkɪkɛroː/).
His works are foundational to Western political thought, rhetoric, philosophy, and Latin literature. His concepts of natural law, civic duty, and republican government remain influential.
Both are typographic units. A cicero (used in Continental Europe) is 12 Didot points (≈4.511 mm). A pica (used in UK/US) is 12 PostScript points (≈4.233 mm). They are not interchangeable.