Peripatetic is a confusing word to spell, but its meaning is straightforward. The word refers to traveling from place to place, usually in relation to work or education. The IPA phonetic transcription of peripatetic is /ˌpɛrɪpəˈtɛtɪk/. The word begins with the stress on the second syllable, "ri", followed by the "p" sound. The "a" is pronounced as "uh", while the "e" is pronounced as "uh", as in "bet". Lastly, the end of the word has a "tik" sound. Remembering this transcription will help you spell peripatetic correctly next time.
Peripatetic is an adjective that originated from the Greek word "peripatētikos," meaning 'walking about.' It is commonly used to describe someone or something that is constantly moving, traveling, or wandering from place to place. This term is often associated with a person engaged in a profession or lifestyle that requires frequent relocation or travel.
In a literal sense, peripatetic refers to the act of walking or moving around. It can be used to characterize a nomadic lifestyle, where a person or group continually moves from one location to another, often without settling in a specific place for an extended period. Moreover, peripatetic can also describe an individual who is restless or continually seeking new experiences and challenges.
In a figurative sense, peripatetic can describe a profession or occupation that involves frequent travel or itinerant work, such as a peripatetic teacher who travels to different schools instead of being permanently based in a single institution. Additionally, it can be used to portray a wandering or itinerant mindset, which implies a lack of permanence or stability.
Overall, peripatetic suggests a constant state of movement, whether physical or metaphorical, and conveys the notion of an ever-changing, dynamic existence.
Prone to walk about, noting certain cases of typhoid or other fever, in which the patient does not take to the bed.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
A follower or disciple of Aristotle, who walked about as he taught or disputed in the Lyceum in Athens; a great walker; ironically, an itinerant teacher or preacher.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "peripatetic" comes from the Latin word "peripateticus", which, in turn, comes from the Greek word "peripatētikos". The Greek word is derived from "peripateō", meaning "to walk around, to walk about". The term originally referred to the followers of the Greek philosopher Aristotle, who used to engage in discussions while walking in the Lyceum, his school in Athens. Over time, "peripatetic" evolved to mean someone who travels from place to place, especially in a professional capacity. Today, it is commonly used to describe someone who leads a nomadic or wandering lifestyle.