Sunday Word: Epicurean

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epicurean [ep-i-kyoo-ree-uhn, -kyoor-ee-]
adjective:
1 A disciple or student of the Greek philosopher Epicurus
2 A person devoted to sensual enjoyment, especially that derived from fine food and drink.

Examples:

He had read somewhere that every man was born a Platonist, an Aristotelian, a Stoic, or an Epicurean; and the history of George Henry Lewes (besides telling you that philosophy was all moonshine) was there to show that the thought of each philospher was inseparably connected with the man he was. (W Somerset Maugham, Of Human Bondage)

For epicurean sports fans or festivalgoers, curated drink selections like the Chase Center’s are undoubtedly a welcome addition to their experience. (Esther Mobley, San Francisco’s Chase Center arena has wine that you’ll actually want to drink, San Francisco Chronicle, Feb 2018)

True to the nature of this season of Uncharted being more ambitious and adventurous, Ramsay’s epicurean compatriot here in West Sumatra is William Wongso, an award-winning chef considered the godfather of Indonesian food. (Lenny Ann Low, Bigger, Bolder, Further, National Geographic, May 2020)

Origin:

late 14c., 'follower of the philosophical system of Epicurus,' from Old French Epicurien, or from epicure + -ian. From 1570s as 'one devoted to pleasure.' As an adjective, attested from 1580s in the philosophical sense and 1640s with the meaning 'pleasure-loving.' (Online Etymology Dictionary)