Bœotian, a. and n.
(biːˈəʊʃ(ɪ)ən)
[f. prec. + -an.]
A. adj. a. Of Bœotia. b. Dull, stupid.
| 1598 Marston Pigmal. ii. 142, I dull-sprighted fat Boetian Boore. 1809 Byron Bards & Rev. 82 To be misled By Jeffrey's heart, or Lambe's Bœotian head. 1831 Carlyle Sart. Res. iii. i, The earnestness and Bœotian simplicity..with which that ‘Incident’ is here brought forward. |
B. n. a. A native of Bœotia. b. A stupid clown, a ‘thick-head’.
| 1649 G. Daniel Trinarch., Hen. V, lix, These Trencher-Sts.; full-paunch't Boetians, Contemne all Bodies bred in purer Ayre, As Atticke leanness. 1821 Lockhart Valerius II. x. 296 An opportunity..which I should have been a Bœotian indeed had I neglected. 1839 Thirlwall Greece VIII. 465. |