pythagorize, v.
(pɪˈθægəraɪz, paɪ-)
[ad. Gr. πῡθαγορίζειν to be a disciple of Pythagoras; L. pȳthagorissāre to imitate Pythagoras. Cf. F. pythagoriser (Cholieres 1587) in sense 1.]
1. intr. To follow Pythagoras; to speculate after the manner of Pythagoras.
| 1610 Healey Vives' Comm. St. Aug. Citie of God x. xxx. (1620) 381 Plato Pythagorizing held that the Soules after death passed into other bodies. 1666 Bp. S. Parker Free & Impart. Censure (1667) 48 The latter Platonists..especially those of them that did most Pythagorize. |
† 2. To pass by transmigration. Obs. nonce-use.
| 1651 Biggs New Disp. 184 Peradventure the Shop of choler from the very thresh-hold of life hath Pythagorized into the private ware-house of the head. |
† 3. trans. To change (one person or thing) into another as by transmigration of souls. Obs.
| 1631 J. Done Polydoron 211 If our godlesse dainty Gallants were but so Pythagorized, how they would wish they had lived better. 1721 Ramsay Morn. Interview 253 O happiest of herbs! who would not be Pythagoriz'd into the form of thee, And with high transports act the part of tea! |
Hence pyˈthagorizing ppl. a.; also pyˈthagoˌrizer, one who Pythagorizes, or follows the doctrine or practice of Pythagoras.
| 1677 Gale Crt. Gentiles II. iii. 19 These Pythagorising Gnostics..were professed enemies to Pietie. 1875 Lightfoot Comm. Col. 146 Satirised..as ‘pythagorizers’, in other words as total abstainers and vegetarians. |