scholiast

[ skoh-lee-ast ]

noun

1. an ancient commentator on the classics.
2. a person who writes scholia.

scholiast

/ ˈskəʊlɪˌæst /

noun

1. a medieval annotator, esp of classical texts

Derived Forms

• ˌscholiˈastic, adjective

Other Words From

• scholi·astic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of scholiast¹

From the Greek word scholiastḗs, dating back to 1575–85. See scholium, -ast

Word History and Origins

Origin of scholiast¹

C16: from Late Greek skholiastēs, from skholiazein to write a scholium

Example Sentences

Numerous quotations and fragments still exist, chiefly in the Homeric scholiasts and Stephanus of Byzantium.

From Project Gutenberg

The Greek poets, Homer not excepted, are by their scholiasts regarded as treating of their gods in a mystical style.

From Project Gutenberg

The statement of the scholiast is evidently a mere inference from the patronymic form of the word.

From Project Gutenberg

Nothing can express this superstitious rite more forcibly than the following letter from Aspasia to Pericles, recorded by one of the scholiasts of Ælian.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus it seemed to the sophists, to the scholiasts, alchemists, cabalists, Talmudists, and to our own scientific science and to our artistic art.

From Project Gutenberg