Milesian

plural Milesians

1. historicala native or inhabitant of the ancient city of Miletus in Asia Minor.First known use 16th c.
2. a follower of the Milesian school of philosophy founded by Thales

comparative more Milesian · superlative most Milesian

1. Pertaining to Miletus or its inhabitants.First known use 16th c.

   I commend the Milesian wench, who seeing Thales the Philosopher continually ammusing himselfe in the contemplation of heavens-wide-bounding vault, and ever holding his eyes aloft, laid something in his way to make him stumble[…].

   1603, Michel de Montaigne, chapter 12, in John Florio, transl., The Essayes […], book II, London: […] Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […], →OCLC

comparative more Milesian · superlative most Milesian

1. Pertaining to Milesius or his people; Irish.

   My father was the youngest son of a numerous family, all Irish, sprung from a very ancient and honourable stock, being of Milesian descent […] .

   1808–10, William Hickey, Memoirs of a Georgian Rake, Folio Society 1995, p. 1

   1 more example

   […] exultingly cried Lord Carhampton, stealing an underlook at Maurice O'Driscoll, whom ^([sic]) he knew was wont to boast of his Milesian lineage; […]

   1884, M. L. O'Byrne, Ill-won Peerages, Or, An Unhallowed Union, page 427

plural Milesians

1. A member of a people in Irish mythology, the descendants of Míl Espáine.
2. datedhumoroussometimesAn Irishman; someone of Irish origin.