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epicures

 - 3 dictionary results

ep⋅i⋅cure

  [ep-i-kyoor]
Use epicures in a Sentence
–noun
1. a person who cultivates a refined taste, esp. in food and wine; connoisseur.
2. Archaic. a person dedicated to sensual enjoyment.
Origin:
1350–1400 for earlier sense; 1555–65 for def. 2; ME Epicures, Epicureis Epicureans (pl.) < L Epicūrēus (sing.) (see epicurean )

Synonyms:
1. gastronome, gourmet, epicurean. 2. voluptuary, sensualist, gourmand.

Antonyms:
1. ascetic.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To epicures
ep·i·cure   (ěp'ĭ-kyŏŏr')   
n.  

  1. A person with refined taste, especially in food and wine.

  2. A person devoted to sensuous pleasure and luxurious living. See Usage Note at gourmet.


[Middle English, an Epicurean, from Medieval Latin epicūrus, from Latin Epicūrus, Epicurus, from Greek Epikouros.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

epicure 
c.1380, "follower of Epicurus," from L. Epicurus, from Gk. Epicouros (341-270 B.C.E.), Athenian philosopher who taught that pleasure is the highest good and identified virtue as the greatest pleasure; the first lesson recalled, the second forgotten, and the name used pejoratively for "one who gives himself up to sensual pleasure" (1641), especially "glutton, sybarite" (1774). Epicurus' school opposed by stoics, who first gave his name a reproachful sense.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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