platonic
pronunciation
How to pronounce platonic in British English:
UK [pləˈtɒnɪk]
How to pronounce platonic in American English:
US [pləˈtɑnɪk]
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- Adjective:
- free from physical desire
Word Origin
- Platonic (adj.)
- 1530s, "of or pertaining to Greek philosopher Plato" (429 B.C.E.-c. 347 B.C.E.), from Latin Platonicus, from Greek Platonikos. The name is Greek Platon, properly "broad-shouldered" (from platys "broad;" see plaice (n.)). His original name was Aristocles. The meaning "love free of sensual desire" (1630s), which the word usually carries nowadays, is a Renaissance notion; it is based on Plato's writings in "Symposium" about the kind of interest Socrates took in young men, which originally had no reference to women. Related: Platonically.
Example
- 1. The platonic doctrine tended to an extreme transcendentalism .
- 2. Their friendship is based on platonic love .
- 3. Can you keep a sexy male friendship in the platonic state while feeling stuck in a loveless , sexless marriage ?
- 4. They rarely expressed self-doubt and their love life was almost platonic .
- 5. This is somewhat like platonic cross-sex friendships .