dorian

plural dorians

1. obsoleteObsolete spelling of durian.

comparative more Dorian · superlative most Dorian

1. Of or relating to the Dorians.
2. Homosexual, gay; preferring exclusively men as romantic or sexual partners; male counterpart of lesbian.

   Dorian love, on the other hand, was a love between two virile equals, and so exceptional and unique.

   2012, Daniel Orrells, “Greek love, orientalism and race: intersections in Classical reception”, in The Cambridge Classical Journal, Cambridge University Press

   5 more examples

   while the [Dorian] love of males for males in Greece obtained moralisation, and reached the high position of a recognised social function, the [Lesbian] love of female for female remained undeveloped and unhonoured

   1883, John Addington Symonds, chapter 19, in A Problem in Greek Ethics

   All the Spartan kings and generals grew up under the institution of Dorian love. Epameinondas and Alexander were notable lovers; and the names of their comrades are recorded.

   1890, John Addington Symonds in A. Strahan, The Contemporary Review, page 416

   And the evidence from Symonds's Memoirs seems to suggest that 'Ionian' implied pederastic relations, as attested in ancient Athens, whereas 'Dorian' involved two virile men.

   2011, Daniel Orrells, Classical Culture and Modern Masculinity, page 159

   Gay may not be ideal, and it has acquired negative connotations in recent years. I'd much prefer the beautiful word, Dorian, which can be both noun and adjective.

   2015, John Lauritsen, “Down With LGBTQ!”, in Gay Liberation, Utrecht University, archived from the original on 23 Dec 2022

   Wilde’s choice for his main protagonist’s name a “veiled reference to ‘Dorian’ or ‘Greek’ love”.

   2015, Lotte Campman, chapter 1, in Greek Love and Love for All Things Greek: Gay Subtext and Greek Intertext in Works by Oscar Wilde, page 9

3. human sciencesOf or relating to the oceanid Doris in Greek mythology.
4. astronomyOf or relating to the asteroid (48) Doris.

plural Dorians

1. A member of the Dorians.

1. A male given name from Ancient Greek, famously used by Oscar Wilde in his novel The Picture of Dorian Gray (1891).
2. A female given name.