Ciceronian
/ˌsɪsəˈroʊniən/noun
Relating to, or characteristic of, the Roman statesman and orator Cicero, especially in style.
Did you know?The word comes from Marcus Tullius Cicero, whose family name likely referred to a chickpea (Latin *cicer*), proving one of history’s greatest orators may have carried a name meaning “chickpea.”
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*kekik-
“A root associated with peas or legumes (reconstructed ancestor of Latin *cicer*).”
Latin
Latin
cicer
“Chickpea; the legume that likely underlies the family name Cicero.”
Ancient Rome
Latin
Cicero
“A Roman family name, famously borne by Marcus Tullius Cicero.”
Late Latin / Medieval Latin
Latin
Ciceroniānus
“Pertaining to Cicero; especially imitating his style of eloquence.”
16th Century
English
Ciceronian
“Of or in the style of Cicero, especially in rhetoric or prose.”