Areopagite
/ˌær.iˈɒp.ə.ɡaɪt/noun
A member of the ancient Athenian council of the Areopagus, or a person associated with it.
Did you know?In Acts 17, Dionysius the Areopagite is described as a convert of Paul; later mystical works falsely attributed to him profoundly shaped Christian esotericism.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*pag- / *pak-
“To fasten, fix, or make secure; the deep root behind several words involving binding or agreement.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
Ἄρειος πάγος (Areios pagos)
“The “Hill of Ares,” a rocky hill in Athens associated with the god of war and the city’s high court.”
Classical Greek
Greek
Ἀρειοπαγίτης (Areopagitēs)
“A member of the council or court meeting on the Areopagus.”
Late Antiquity
Greek
Areopagites
“A Greek-derived designation for a member of the Areopagus, especially in Christian writings about Dionysius.”
Medieval Latin
Latin
Areopagita
“A member of the Areopagus; also used in ecclesiastical contexts for Dionysius the Areopagite.”
16th Century
English
Areopagite
“An English term for a member of the ancient Athenian court or someone associated with it.”