cyrenaic means of or related to Cyrenaicism, the philosophical school founded by Aristippus of Cyrene and codified by Aristippus the Younger. Lexicurio rates it Sui generis — a strength score of 87 out of 100.
Why “cyrenaic” is a great word
CYRENAIC — [Adjective, Noun] Pertaining to the hedonistic philosophy founded by Aristippus of Cyrene, which holds that the immediate, physical sensation of pleasure is the supreme good; also, an adherent of this philosophy or a native of the ancient city. From Latin Cyrenaicus, from Ancient Greek Κυρηναϊκός (Kurēnaïkós), from Κυρηναῖος (Kurēnaîos, "Cyrenian") + -ικός (-ikós, "-ic"), from Κυρήνη (Kurḗnē, "Cyrene") + -ιος (-ios, demonym suffix). Unlike "Epicurean," which counsels a life of tranquil, long-term pleasure achieved through prudence and the avoidance of pain, or "Cyrenian," which is a purely geographical label, "Cyrenaic" denotes a doctrine distilled to the immediacy of sensation. It is the sharp sweetness of a sun-warmed fig; the warmth of the sun on skin as the entire point of existence; the visceral, fleeting pleasure that asserts itself against all memory and anticipation—a creed that makes a shrine of the present nerve, already mourning the pleasure it insists we seize.
Etymology
From Latin Cyrenaicus, from Ancient Greek Κῡρηνᾰῐ̈κός (Kūrēnăĭ̈kós), from Κῡρηναῖος (Kūrēnaîos, “Cyrenian, n.”) + -ικός (-ikós, “-ic: forming adjectives”), from Κυρήνη (Kurḗnē, “Cyrene”) + -ιος (-ios, “-y: forming demonyms”), q.v. Equivalent to Cyrene + -ic or a backformation from Cyrenaica.
adj
- Of or related to Cyrenaicism, the philosophical school founded by Aristippus of Cyrene and codified by Aristippus the Younger.
- Synonym of Cyrenian, of or related to Cyrene.
- Synonym of Cyrenaican, of or related to Cyrenaica, the area around Cyrene in northeastern Libya.
noun
- A member or adherent of Cyrenaicism, the philosophical school founded by Aristippus of Cyrene and codified by Aristippus the Younger.
- Synonym of Cyrenian, a person of or from Cyrene.
- Synonym of Cyrenaican, a person of or from Cyrenaica, the area around Cyrene in northeastern Libya.