Plato

[ pley-toh ]

noun

1. 427–347 b.c., Greek philosopher.
2. a walled plain in the second quadrant of the face of the moon, having a dark floor: about 60 miles (96 kilometers) in diameter.

Plato

¹

/ ˈpleɪtəʊ /

noun

1. a crater in the NW quadrant of the moon, about 100 km in diameter, that has a conspicuous dark floor

Plato

²

/ ˈpleɪtəʊ /

noun

1. Plato?427 bc?347 bcMGreekPHILOSOPHY: philosopher ?427–?347 bc , Greek philosopher: with his teacher Socrates and his pupil Aristotle, he is regarded as the initiator of western philosophy. His influential theory of ideas, which makes a distinction between objects of sense perception and the universal ideas or forms of which they are an expression, is formulated in such dialogues as Phaedo, Symposium, and The Republic. Other works include The Apology and Laws

Plato

1. An ancient Greek philosopher , often considered the most important figure in Western philosophy . Plato was a student of Socrates and later became the teacher of Aristotle . He founded a school in Athens (see also Athens ) called the Academy . Most of his writings are dialogues. He is best known for his theory that ideal Forms or Ideas, such as Truth or the Good, exist in a realm beyond the material world. In fact, however, his chief subjects are ethics and politics. His best-known dialogues are the Republic, which concerns the just state, and the Symposium, which concerns the nature of love.

Other Words From

• an·ti-Pla·to adjective
• pro-Pla·to adjective

Example Sentences

Philosophers, going back to Plato and Aristotle, have observed a link between comedy and cruelty.

From Salon

He focused mainly on the works of Plato and Aristotle and their application to politics.

From Salon

I’ve read Plato and Aristotle, but I know I’m going to have a better time at a Disney theme park, to be honest with you.

From Los Angeles Times

Explaining his theory, the broadcaster said the Romans had brought with them an understanding of the 12-sided universe that Plato described.

From BBC

You can go back all the way to Plato in the shadows in the back of the caves.

From Salon