lucullus: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low (Obscure)Literary, Historical, Allusive
Quick answer
What does “lucullus” mean?
A Roman general (Lucius Licinius Lucullus), famous for his immense wealth, lavish banquets, and luxurious lifestyle.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A Roman general (Lucius Licinius Lucullus), famous for his immense wealth, lavish banquets, and luxurious lifestyle.
Used allusively to denote someone, or a thing, characterized by great luxury, opulence, or lavishness, especially in the context of food and dining.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences; the term is equally obscure and literary in both varieties.
Connotations
Elegant erudition, classical knowledge, historical reference, extreme opulence.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both varieties. Slightly more likely to be encountered in historical or literary British writing, but the difference is negligible.
Grammar
How to Use “lucullus” in a Sentence
Used attributively as an adjective (e.g., a Lucullan feast)Used in a possessive or genitive construction (e.g., the feasts of Lucullus)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “lucullus” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The reception was a positively Lucullan affair, with champagne flowing freely.
- He had developed Lucullan tastes during his years of prosperity.
American English
- They spared no expense on a Lucullan feast for their guests.
- The hotel suite's décor was of a Lucullan opulence.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical texts, classical studies, or literary analysis to describe lavishness.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “lucullus”
- Using it as a common noun (e.g., 'He prepared a lucullus') instead of an adjective ('He prepared a Lucullan feast').
- Misspelling: 'Lucullian' or 'Lucullean' are also accepted variant spellings.
- Pronouncing the 'c' as /s/ instead of /k/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is a rarely used adjective, derived from the name Lucullus, meaning extravagantly luxurious, especially concerning food.
It would be very unusual and likely misunderstood. It's a literary or historical allusion best reserved for specific written contexts.
'Lucullan' is the most common modern spelling. 'Lucullean' and 'Lucullian' are older or less frequent variants.
No. The 'c' is always a hard /k/ sound, as in 'cat'. The pronunciation is /luːˈkʌlən/.
A Roman general (Lucius Licinius Lucullus), famous for his immense wealth, lavish banquets, and luxurious lifestyle.
Lucullus is usually literary, historical, allusive in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A Lucullan feast”
- “To dine like Lucullus”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a LUXURY COUCH for 'LU' + someone CULLING (selecting) only the best food and wine. Lucullus = Luxury selection.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PERSON IS THEIR REPUTATION (metonymy), where 'Lucullus' stands for lavish feasting.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes a 'Lucullan' meal?