Platonically

[ pluh-ton-ik-lee, pley- ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adverb

in a way that relates to or is influenced by the doctrines of Plato, especially his elevation of the spiritual or ideal over the physical and particular:
These reminders of Jesus’ physical sufferings were necessary for certain Platonically inclined Christian philosophers who had no doubts about Jesus’ full divinity but were loath to admit his full humanity.
Usually pla·ton·i·cal·ly. in a nonromantic way that is free from sexual desire:
There was a woman he saw platonically; they went to movies or dinner together, and that was all.

Best friends can often describe the moment when they platonically fell in love with each other.

Tiny invited Don Roberto to open the dance with her, and that platonically enamoured gentleman consented with a grand flourish.

Both love Clitandre, but Armande loves him platonically, while Henriette loves him with womanly affection.

He loved the old painters, but platonically; their works did not lead him astray.

Voltaire and Rousseau were the fashion, and cultured society was platonically enamoured of the Rights of Man.

Mr. Carlyle introduced a style of thinking about Knox which may be called platonically Puritan.

April 19, 2024tortuous

[tawr-choo-uhs ]

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