Arcadian

[ ahr-key-dee-uhn ]

adjective

1. of Arcadia.
2. (often lowercase) rural, rustic, or pastoral, especially suggesting simple, innocent contentment:

   They shared the desire to live off the land and lead a life of Arcadian bliss.

noun

1. a native of Arcadia.
2. the dialect of ancient Greek spoken in Arcadia.

Arcadian

/ ɑːˈkeɪdɪən /

adjective

1. of or relating to Arcadia or its inhabitants, esp the idealized Arcadia of pastoral poetry
2. rustic or bucolic

   a life of Arcadian simplicity

noun

1. an inhabitant of Arcadia
2. a person who leads or prefers a quiet simple rural life

Derived Forms

• Arˈcadianism, noun

Other Words From

• Ar·cadi·an·ism noun
• Ar·cadi·an·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of Arcadian¹

First recorded in 1580–90; Arcadi(a) + -an

Example Sentences

Old Warrender would lean on his daisy-spud a pleased spectator of the Arcadian scene.

From Project Gutenberg

Michael often looked back to that first term in the Lower Third as a period of Arcadian simplicity, a golden age.

From Project Gutenberg

The only wind instrument existing among them is the Pibbegwon, a kind of flute, resembling in simplicity the Arcadian pipe.

From Project Gutenberg

Trees, rocks, broken sunlight, and a summer breeze made the little scene quite Arcadian.

From Project Gutenberg

Vereker thinks of Sally's putative parents, the Arcadian shepherdess and the thunderbolt.

From Project Gutenberg