megaris: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Academic, Historical
Quick answer
What does “megaris” mean?
A historical region of ancient Greece, a small peninsula and territory northwest of Athens, between the Saronic and Corinthian gulfs.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A historical region of ancient Greece, a small peninsula and territory northwest of Athens, between the Saronic and Corinthian gulfs.
In classical geography and historical contexts, the name refers to the territory and its inhabitants, the Megarians. By extension, it can be used in academic or literary contexts to symbolize a small, distinct, and often strategically located territory in the ancient world.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage or spelling; the term is identically used and spelled in both regional varieties within historical/academic contexts.
Connotations
Purely historical/geographical. No divergent connotations.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both varieties, limited to specialised texts.
Grammar
How to Use “megaris” in a Sentence
[the] + Megaris + [verb: was, lay, bordered]Megaris + [preposition: of, in, between]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “megaris” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The Megarian decree was a factor in the Peloponnesian War.
- Megarian wool was noted in antiquity.
American English
- The Megarian decree contributed to the outbreak of war.
- Megarian textile trade was significant.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical, archaeological, and classical studies texts to refer to the specific ancient region.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Used as a precise geographical/historical designation in cartography, ancient history, and classical scholarship.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “megaris”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “megaris”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “megaris”
- Using it as a common noun (e.g., 'a megaris').
- Mispronouncing it with a hard 'g' as in 'mega' (/ˈmɛɡɑːrɪs/).
- Confusing it with the city Megara (the main city *within* Megaris).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Megaris was a region in ancient Greece. Its territory is now part of modern Greece, within the region of Attica and the regional unit of West Attica.
The main city and capital of the region was Megara.
Its strategic location made it a point of contention. The 'Megarian Decree,' an economic embargo by Athens against Megaris, is cited by Thucydides as a key cause of the Peloponnesian War.
Almost never. It is a highly specialised historical term. You would only encounter it in academic works, historical documentaries, or detailed texts about ancient Greece.
A historical region of ancient Greece, a small peninsula and territory northwest of Athens, between the Saronic and Corinthian gulfs.
Megaris is usually formal, academic, historical in register.
Megaris: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɛɡərɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɛɡərɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: MEGAn't Athens, MEGAn't Corinth – it's the small region MEGArith between them.
Conceptual Metaphor
A SMALL BUFFER STATE (Megaris is conceptually a small, contested, or independent entity situated between two larger powers, Athens and Corinth).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'Megaris' primarily used?