English Lexicon

Hellenize

/ˈhɛl.əˌnaɪz/
verbCEFR C2 (Proficient)Top #45200 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As verb
  1. 1

    To make Greek in character, manners, language, or culture; to cause to adopt Greek customs.

    "The expansion of the empire helped to hellenize many regions of the ancient Near East."
  2. 2

    To adopt Greek habits, speech, or cultural practices.

    "Over several generations, the local ruling classes began to hellenize and embrace classical philosophy."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

Derived from the ancient Greek word Hellēn, meaning a Greek person, combined with the suffix -ize to form a verb denoting the act of making or becoming Greek. The term gained widespread historical prominence in the post-Alexandrian era to describe the dissemination of Greek language, culture, and civilization across the Mediterranean and Near East.

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