pericles: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (C2)Formal, Academic, Historical
Quick answer
What does “pericles” mean?
A proper name, primarily referring to the Athenian statesman, orator, and general during the Golden Age of Athens.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A proper name, primarily referring to the Athenian statesman, orator, and general during the Golden Age of Athens.
May be used metonymically to refer to the Athenian Golden Age or to a period of cultural and political flourishing; rarely used as a given name.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
In both varieties, connotations are tied to classical history, democracy, art, architecture, and the Peloponnesian War.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both varieties, confined to specialized discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “pericles” in a Sentence
N/A - Proper NounVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “pericles” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- Periclean Athens was a centre of learning.
- The Periclean building programme included the Parthenon.
American English
- Periclean Athens was a hub of learning.
- The Periclean building program included the Parthenon.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in history, classics, political science, and art history to denote the period or the man.
Everyday
Extremely rare outside of educational or cultural discussions.
Technical
Used as a historical reference point.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “pericles”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “pericles”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “pericles”
- Mispronouncing as /pəˈraɪkəlz/ or /ˈpɜːrɪkəlz/
- Using it as a common noun (e.g., 'a pericles').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, Pericles was a statesman, orator, and general in the Athenian democracy, though he held the influential position of 'strategos' (general) for many years.
It refers to a period in the 5th century BC when Athens, under the leadership of Pericles, reached its peak in political, artistic, and architectural achievement.
The standard pronunciation is /ˈpɛrɪkliːz/, with the stress on the first syllable and a long 'ee' sound in the final syllable.
No, it's a low-frequency adjective used almost exclusively in academic or historical writing to describe things related to Pericles or his era.
A proper name, primarily referring to the Athenian statesman, orator, and general during the Golden Age of Athens.
Pericles is usually formal, academic, historical in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “N/A”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'PEace and RICH LEague of city-States' during his era -> PERiCLeS.
Conceptual Metaphor
PERICLES IS A FOUNDATION (for democracy, classical culture).
Practice
Quiz
Pericles is most closely associated with which historical period?