epicure English · revision 1081

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈɛpɪkjʊə/ ''(UK)''; /ˈɛpɪkjʊɹ/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It comes from Middle English,^(AHD) [[der|la-med|epicurus]],^(AHD) from Latin ''Epicūrus'',^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate) [[der|grc|Ἐπίκουρος|tr=Epíkouros]], the Athenian philosopher Epicurus (341–270 BCE),^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline) who taught that pleasure, identified with virtue, is the highest good.^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A disciple of Epicurus (about 1384).^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The Stoics, who opposed Epicurus, first gave his name a reproachful sense.^(Etymonline) From 1545 an epicure was one who disbelieved in divine providence and a future life,^(OED 1989) and from 1565 one given up to sensual pleasure, especially a glutton.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate) The current sense, one with a refined taste in food and drink, is from 1586;^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) Barnhart notes that the sense of glutton receded in the late 18th century and survives chiefly in ''epicurean''.^(Barnhart 1995)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * about 1384 – a disciple of Epicurus.^(Barnhart 1995)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1545 – an unbeliever in providence.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1565 – a sensualist or glutton.^(OED 1989)^(MW Collegiate)

+ * 1586 – a person of refined taste in food.^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A person with refined, discriminating taste, especially in food and wine; a [[connoisseur]] or [[gourmet]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(archaic)'' A person devoted to sensual pleasure and luxury; a [[sybarite]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[epicurism]]

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+ ==Related words==

+ * [[epicurean]]

+ * [[gourmet]]

+ * [[gourmand]]

+ * [[gastronome]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Merriam-Webster distinguishes ''epicure'', implying fastidious and voluptuous taste, from ''gourmet'', a connoisseur, ''gourmand'', one with a hearty appetite, and ''gastronome'', one who has studied cuisine.^(MW Collegiate) Random House lists ''ascetic'' as an antonym.^(RHWU)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}