arete

¹

[ ahr-i-tey ]

noun

1. the aggregate of qualities, as valor and virtue, making up good character:

   Our greatest national heroes not only did extraordinary things, but had enormous arete.

arête

²

[ uh-reyt ]

noun

, Physical Geography, Geology.

1. a sharp rugged mountain ridge, produced by glaciation.

arête

/ əˈrɛt; əˈreɪt /

noun

1. a sharp ridge separating two cirques or glacial valleys in mountainous regions

arête

/ ə-rāt′ /

1. A sharp, narrow ridge or spur commonly found above the snow line in mountainous areas that have been sculpted by glaciers. Arêtes form as the result of the continued backward erosion of adjoining cirques.

Word History and Origins

Origin of arete¹

First recorded in 1550–70; from Greek aretḗ “excellence, virtue”

Origin of arete²

First recorded in 1860–65; from French: literally, “fishbone, ridge, bridge (of the nose),” from Old French areste “sharp ridge,” from Latin arista “ear of grain (wheat), awn”

Word History and Origins

Origin of arete¹

C19: from French: fishbone, backbone (of a fish), ridge, sharp edge, from Latin arista ear of corn, fishbone

Example Sentences

Only after Calypso is put aside, do Arete the wife and Nausicaa the maid become possible.

From Project Gutenberg

From the grot of Calypso he passes to the home of Arete; both woman and man are in an ethical relation.

From Project Gutenberg

Still she withholds her sympathy at first for a good reason; Arete is not wholly impulse and feeling, she has thought, reflection.

From Project Gutenberg

Pallas and Nausicaa, he first goes to Arete and clasps her knees in supplication, begging for an escort to his country.

From Project Gutenberg

Altogether too sudden; Arete would not have said that, though the woman be the natural match-maker.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• excellence
• fulfillment
• potential