Etymology

Pythagorean

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Today it means: A follower of Pythagoras; someone who believes in or advocates Pythagoreanism. Full definition →

First used 16th c.Latin Pȳthagorēus
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The story

  1. Latin · derived fromPȳthagorēus“pertaining to Pythagoras”
  2. English todayPythagorean

From Latin Pȳthagorēus (“pertaining to Pythagoras”) + -an. Compare Pythagoric.

First known use, by meaning

  • from 16th c. A follower of Pythagoras; someone who believes in or advocates Pythagoreanism.
  • from 16th c. Pertaining to Pythagoras.
  • from 16th c. Pertaining to the philosophy of Pythagoras.
  • from 17th c. Following the lifestyle advocated by the Pythagoreans; specifically, vegetarian.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.