1 arcadian | Definition of arcadian

arcadian

adjective, often capitalized
ar·​ca·​di·​an | \ är-ˈkā-dē-ən How to pronounce arcadian (audio) \

Definition of arcadian

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1a : of or relating to Arcadia or the Arcadians
b : of or relating to Arcadian
2 : idyllically pastoral especially : idyllically innocent, simple, or untroubled

Arcadian

noun
Ar·​ca·​di·​an | \ är-ˈkā-dē-ən How to pronounce Arcadian (audio) \

Definition of Arcadian (Entry 2 of 2)

1 often not capitalized : a person who lives a simple quiet life
2 : a native or inhabitant of Arcadia
3 : the dialect of ancient Greek used in Arcadia

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Examples of arcadian in a Sentence

Adjective

the painter is fond of depicting mute, slightly mysterious figures in arcadian settings

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

With hilltop farms in trouble, Potter’s wondrous arcadian refuge is increasingly a battleground for tourism, but what form of tourism is the question. Kieran Dodds, Smithsonian, "Britain’s Lake District Was Immortalized by Beatrix Potter, But Is Its Future in Peril?," 20 Apr. 2018 The formal precision in these pictures can be eye-popping, and the compositional symmetry and the positioning of the figures in arcadian settings evoke Mannerist, and, at other times, Pre-Raphaelite qualities. Philip Gefter, The New Yorker, "Pieter Hugo’s “1994”: Children and the Ghosts of National Trauma," 24 Feb. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'arcadian.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of arcadian

Adjective

1565, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1573, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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More from Merriam-Webster on arcadian

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with arcadian

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for arcadian