euergetism

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noun

The practice of the ancient Greek and Roman elite of distributing a part of their wealth to the community; public benefaction.

OriginAncient Greek εὐεργετέω (euergetéō) ← Proto-Hellenic *wérgon ← Proto-Indo-European *wérǵom →
Scrabble 13
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Meanings

nouneuergetism (usually uncountable, plural euergetisms)

plural euergetisms · alternative evergetism

  1. historicaluncountableusuallyThe practice of the ancient Greek and Roman elite of distributing a part of their wealth to the community; public benefaction.

    Euergetism, as traditionally practised, might take the form of the construction of public buildings, the provision of public pleasures, the entertainment of the populace in circus or arena, or the provision of food in times of dearth...

    1998, The Cambridge Ancient History, Vol. 13: The Late Empire, p. 330

Origin

  1. Proto-Indo-European*h₁wes-
  2. Proto-Indo-European*h₁wésus?
  3. Proto-Indo-European*h₁es-?
  4. Proto-Indo-European*h₁su-
  5. Proto-Hellenic*ehu-
  6. Ancient Greekἐΰς (eǘs)
  7. Ancient Greekεὖ (eû)
  8. Ancient Greekεὐ- (eu-)
  9. Proto-Indo-European*werǵ-
  10. Proto-Indo-European*wérǵom
  11. Proto-Hellenic*wérgon
  12. Ancient Greekἔργον (érgon)
  13. Ancient Greekεὐεργέτης (euergétēs)
  14. Ancient Greekεὐεργετέω (euergetéō)
  15. Englisheuergetism

From Ancient Greek εὐεργετέω (euergetéō, “to do good”) + -ism.

More words from Ancient Greek

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Dutch evergetisme
  • evergetismethe practice of élite in Greek and Roman cities to distribute a part of their wealth to the community
French évergétisme
  • évergétismethe practice of élite in Greek and Roman cities to distribute a part of their wealth to the community
German Euergetismus
  • Euergetismusthe practice of élite in Greek and Roman cities to distribute a part of their wealth to the community
Italian evergetismo
  • evergetismothe practice of élite in Greek and Roman cities to distribute a part of their wealth to the community
Polish euergetyzm
  • euergetyzmthe practice of élite in Greek and Roman cities to distribute a part of their wealth to the community
Portuguese evergetismo
  • evergetismothe practice of élite in Greek and Roman cities to distribute a part of their wealth to the community
Russian эвергетизм
  • эвергетизм (evergetizm)the practice of élite in Greek and Roman cities to distribute a part of their wealth to the community
Cite this entry
APA

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

MLA

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

Chicago

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

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