ephebe

Definition

An 18- to 20-year-old man in ancient Greece undergoing military training.

Etymology

Via Latin ephēbus, from Ancient Greek ἔφηβος (éphēbos, “adolescent”), from ἐπί (epí, “early”) + ἥβη (hḗbē, “manhood”), late 19th c.

Example Sentences

• "His glance touched their faces lightly as he smiled, a blond ephebe. Tame essence of [Oscar] Wilde."
• "Indeed Tom was much still the ephebe, sharing boys with his friend though talking of the gravity of marriage."