Milesian

views updated May 18 2018

Milesian1 of or pertaining to ancient Miletus, a city in Asia Minor, especially in Milesian tale.
Milesian tale an erotic short story of a type produced by ancient Greek and Roman novelists; the term derives from the title of a collection of stories by Aristides (2nd century bc); probably so called because Miletus in Asia Minor was the traditional setting for the genre.

Milesian

views updated May 21 2018

Milesian2 a native or inhabitant of ancient Ireland, from the legend that the ancient kingdom was conquered and reorganized about 1300 bc by the sons of Milesius (Miledh), a fabulous Spanish king.