Pythagorean

[ pi-thag-uh-ree-uhn ]

adjective

1. of or relating to Pythagoras, to his school, or to his doctrines.

noun

1. a follower of Pythagoras.

Pythagorean

/ paɪˌθæɡəˈriːən /

adjective

1. of or relating to Pythagoras
2. denoting the diatonic scale of eight notes arrived at by Pythagoras and based on a succession of fifths

noun

1. a follower of Pythagoras

Other Words From

• post-Py·thago·rean adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Pythagorean¹

1540–50; < Latin Pȳthagorē ( us ) (< Greek Pȳthagóreios of Pythagoras) + -an

Example Sentences

They’re 18-7 in one-run games — meaning they’re 23-31 in all other contests — and no team has exceeded its Pythagorean expectation more than Seattle so far this season.

From FiveThirtyEight

This year, the Marlins’ actual winning percentage is 61 points lower than its Pythagorean expectation and 69 points lower than its WAR-predicted winning percentage.

From FiveThirtyEight

Last week, the Riddler Cheese Company was producing “craft triples” — triangular slices of cheese whose side lengths were Pythagorean triples when measured in inches.

From FiveThirtyEight

The Riddler Cheese Company is producing what are called “craft triples” — triangular slices of cheese whose side lengths are Pythagorean triples, when measured in inches.

From FiveThirtyEight

Maybe they can just keep finding new ways to stay at the bottom of the Pythagorean disappointment rankings.

From FiveThirtyEight

Hence the entirety of "No One Else," a tune that is borderline Pythagorean in its balance and proportion.

From The Daily Beast

In practice it appears that musicians tuned the tetrachord b-e of this scale with the Pythagorean two Major tones and leimma.

From Project Gutenberg

And Persius favours me, by saying, that Ennius was the fifth from the Pythagorean peacock.

From Project Gutenberg

The Ionian and Pythagorean philosophies arose, and some new elements were added to the popular belief.

From Project Gutenberg

We observe, first of all, that the dialogue is put into the mouth of a Pythagorean philosopher, and not of Socrates.

From Project Gutenberg

He was a Pythagorean in philosophy, and Plato and Aristotle are said to have been both deeply indebted to him.

From Project Gutenberg