Meanings
plural opsimaths
- rareA person who learns late in life.
The truth is that Zola was an opsimath, who had read Stendhal, Flaubert, Balzac, the Goncourts and Taine late in life.
1951, L. A. Bisson, “French Literature 1789-1914”, in R. L. Graeme Ritchie, editor, A Companion to French Studies, Methuen, page 2972 more examples
But with reference to the latter, I may be permitted to say, that from the dissipation and idleness of his earlier years, Mr. Fox in Greek and Roman Literature was necessarily an Opsimath.
1808, Palaeus, "Stipendiary Curates: Fox's Historical Work," in The Gentleman's Magazine, June, p. 480I consider myself something of an opsimath, one who has been blessed with remarkable teachers and friends to assist my slow journey towards the experiences and understanding I was so keen to realize.
2010, Philip Shepherd, New Self, New World, →ISBN, page 451
Origin
- Ancient Greekὀψιμαθής“late in learning”
- Englishopsimath
From the Ancient Greek ὀψιμαθής (opsimathḗs, “late in learning”), ultimately from ὀψέ (opsé, “late”) and μανθάνω (manthánō, “I learn”); compare opsimathy, philomath, and polymath. First appears c. 1808 in The Gentleman's Magazine.
More words from Ancient Greek
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
opsimath. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/opsimath
“opsimath.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/opsimath. Accessed November 2, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “opsimath,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/opsimath.
Source: opsimath on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.