Cyrenean
/saɪˈriːniən/noun
Relating to Cyrene, an ancient Greek city in present-day Libya, or its inhabitants.
Did you know?Cyrene was traditionally founded after the Oracle of Delphi instructed Thera’s settlers to establish a colony in Libya, while the city’s name was associated with the nymph Cyrene and Apollo.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
Kyrene (Κυρήνη)
“The name of the ancient Greek city and, in myth, the nymph associated with it; the name’s ultimate origin is uncertain.”
7th Century BCE
Greek
Kyrene
“A Greek colony founded in North Africa by settlers from Thera, according to ancient historical tradition.”
Classical Greek
Greek
Kyrenaios (Κυρηναῖος)
“Of or from Cyrene; a Cyrenean.”
Latin Antiquity
Latin
Cyrenaeus
“Relating to Cyrene or its people.”
Middle English to Early Modern English
English
Cyrenian
“A person or thing from Cyrene; an earlier and still-used English form related to Cyrenean.”
Modern English
English
Cyrenean
“Relating to ancient Cyrene or its inhabitants.”