Meanings
nounDelian problem (plural Delian problems)
plural Delian problems · alternative Deliac problem
- mathematicsThe problem of duplication of the cube.
Origin
The citizens of ancient Delos are said to have been told by the Delphic oracle to double the size of their altar to Apollo, which was a regular cube.
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
APA
Delian problem. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Delian%20problem
MLA
“Delian problem.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Delian%20problem. Accessed November 3, 2026.
Chicago
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Delian problem,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Delian%20problem.
Source: Delian problem on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.