chrestomathic

C3H4R1E1S1T1O1M3A1T1H4I1C3
/ˌkɹɛstəˈmæθɪk/

adjective

That has a practical use

Scrabble 25
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Meanings

adjectivechrestomathic (not comparable)
  1. not comparableeducationThat has a practical use

    1834-1847, Robert Southey, The Doctor […] the art of destruction applied to noxious animals, a science which the said Jeremy proposes should form part of the course of studies in his Chrestomathic school.

    1 more example

    If mankind be so intensely corrupt, if the world be the pandaemonium which he paints it, legislation would be in vain: chrestomathic education, and panopticon discipline would be fruitless […]

    1822, The Quarterly Review, volume 27, page 382
nounchrestomathic (plural chrestomathics)

plural chrestomathics

  1. A practical handbook.

Synonyms & antonyms

Also see
chrestomathical

Origin

From Ancient Greek χρηστομαθής (khrēstomathḗs, “adept in learning (useful things)”) + English -ic. By surface analysis, chrestomath + -ic.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

French chrestomathique
  • chrestomathiquethat has a practical use
German chrestomathisch
  • chrestomathischthat has a practical use
Italian crestomatico
  • crestomaticothat has a practical use
Portuguese crestomático
  • crestomáticothat has a practical use
Russian хрестомати́ческий
  • хрестомати́ческий (xrestomatíčeskij)that has a practical use
Spanish crestomático
  • crestomáticothat has a practical use
Cite this entry
APA

chrestomathic. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/chrestomathic

MLA

“chrestomathic.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/chrestomathic. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “chrestomathic,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/chrestomathic.

Source: chrestomathic on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.