euergesy · noun — A good deed, an act of public benefaction by a wealthy individual.
Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 3.0).
Why “euergesy” is a great word
Euergesy is a concrete act of public benefaction, especially a good deed performed voluntarily by a wealthy citizen in the ancient Greek city-state. From Ancient Greek εὐεργεσία (euergesía), from εὖ (eû, "well") + ἔργον (érgon, "work, deed") + -ία (-ía, abstract noun suffix). Unlike philanthropy, a diffuse love of mankind, or liturgy, a levied public burden, euergesy was the deliberate, visible investment of private wealth for public glory. It was the new fountain in the agora, the chorus outfitted for a tragic festival, the trireme built for the fleet’s defense—a transaction in stone and civic memory where generosity purchased honor, and a good deed echoes in the cold marble of an inscribed stele.
❧ Essay by Lexicurio’s AI · definition, etymology & citations from published sources
Etymology
From Ancient Greek εὐεργεσία (euergesía).
noun
- A good deed, an act of public benefaction by a wealthy individual.e.g.“[...] Macedon, and that the attested proxeny and euergesy of Alexander resulted from this invaluable assistance towards the creation of the Athenian war fleet.” — 1955, Dissertation Abstracts, page 564:
Definitions & examples from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 3.0).
Words closest in meaning
By meaning, not spelling — each word's AI semantic fingerprint, nearest first.
- euergete 79% match — A benefactor. vs euergesy →
- euergetism 77% match — The practice of the ancient Greek and Roman elite of distributing a part of their wealth to the community; public benefaction. vs euergesy →
- euergetist 75% match — one who practices euergetism vs euergesy →
- eugeria 65% match — A good quality of life as one grows into old age. it is the ideal condition of old people who are free of physical illness, injury, and dysfunctional psychological or social problems. vs euergesy →
- eupraxy 58% match — Right action. vs euergesy →
- dogoodery 56% match — Acts of beneficence; habitual beneficent behavior or behavior undertaken (ostensibly) for good reasons. vs euergesy →
- parergy 55% match — Something unimportant, incidental, or superfluous; a trifle vs euergesy →
- eulogia 53% match — The practice of sending the consecrated Eucharist to those not present, or the Eucharist itself so sent. vs euergesy →