Standard Lemma guide

chrestomathic

adj · noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /ˌkɹɛstəˈmæθɪk/

1

adj

Meaning 1

That has a practical use

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

Examples

  • 1834-1847, Robert Southey, The Doctor [...] the art of destruction applied to noxious animals, a science which the said Jeremy proposes should form part of the course of studies in his Chrestomathic school.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A practical handbook.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *gher-der. Ancient Greek χρηστός (khrēstós) Ancient Greek μᾰνθᾰ́νω (mănthắnō) Ancient Greek χρηστομᾰθέω (khrēstomăthéō) Ancient Greek χρηστομᾰ́θειᾰ (khrēstomắtheiă) English chrestomathy Proto-Indo-European *-ikos Proto-Italic *-ikos Latin -icuslbor. Old French -iquebor. Middle English -ik English -ic English chrestomathic From chrestomathy + -ic.

Across languages

Translations

1 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Russian: хрестомати́йный (xrestomatíjnyj) — that has a practical use