polymath

Definition

A person with extraordinarily broad and comprehensive knowledge.

Etymology

Learned borrowing from Ancient Greek πολυμαθής (polumathḗs, “having learnt much”), first attested in 1624. From πολύς (polús, “much”) (for more, see poly-) + μανθάνω (manthánō, “to learn”). Compare opsimath, philomath, polyhistor, polymathic, polymathist, and polymathy.

Example Sentences

• "To be thought and held Polumathes and Polihistors."
• "A bit of a polymath, he was crucial in the early development of the railways in this country."

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