DEMOTIC

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does Demotic mean? 

• DEMOTIC (noun)
  The noun DEMOTIC has 2 senses:

1. a simplified cursive form of the ancient hieratic script

2. the modern Greek vernacular

  Familiarity information: DEMOTIC used as a noun is rare.

• DEMOTIC (adjective)
  The adjective DEMOTIC has 2 senses:

1. of or written in or belonging to the form of modern Greek based on colloquial use

2. of or for the common people

  Familiarity information: DEMOTIC used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• DEMOTIC (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A simplified cursive form of the ancient hieratic script

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

Demotic; Demotic script

Context example:

Demotic script was eventually replaced by Greek

Hypernyms ("Demotic" is a kind of...):

hieratic; hieratic script (a cursive form of Egyptian hieroglyphics; used especially by the priests)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The modern Greek vernacular

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

Demotic; Romaic

Hypernyms ("Demotic" is a kind of...):

Modern Greek; New Greek (the Greek language as spoken and written today)

Derivation:

Demotic (of or written in or belonging to the form of modern Greek based on colloquial use)

• DEMOTIC (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Of or written in or belonging to the form of modern Greek based on colloquial use

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Pertainym:

Demotic (the modern Greek vernacular)

Derivation:

Demotic (the modern Greek vernacular)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Of or for the common people

Context example:

a poet with a keen ear for demotic rhythms

Similar:

common (having no special distinction or quality; widely known or commonly encountered; average or ordinary or usual)