pre-Socratic

[ pree-suh-krat-ik, -soh- ]

adjective

1. of or relating to the philosophers or philosophical systems of the period before the Socratic period.

noun

1. any philosopher of this period.

Word History and Origins

Origin of pre-Socratic¹

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

The painting of the bald figure bears a citation of the pre-Socratic philosopher Parmenides.

From New York Times

When they were finally together, they made a little more small talk — regarding the pre-Socratic Greek philosopher Heraclitus — and were soon bonding over a mutual love of cycling, camping, red meat and wine.

From New York Times

For Gioia, the pre-Socratic philosopher Pythagoras may be the most important and dire figure in his entire book.

From Washington Post

Aristotle was not the first to conceptualize an elemental system: he borrowed from the fifth-century-bc pre-Socratic philosopher Empedocles.

From Nature

Heraclitus of Ephesus, a pre-Socratic Greek philosopher said, “You can’t step into the same river twice,” meaning that change is constant and inevitable.

From Seattle Times