Seleucid

noun

Se·​leu·​cid sə-ˈlü-səd 

səl-ˈyü-

: a member of a Greek dynasty ruling Syria and at various times other Asian territories from 312 b.c. to 64 b.c.

Seleucid adjective

Examples of Seleucid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Seleucid Empire, founded by one of Alexander’s generals, took control of the region in the late fourth century and ruled until its collapse 250 years later, continuing to imprint Greek culture on the ever-feuding tribes. —Joshua Hammer, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 May 2024

After that came the Seleucid Greeks, who ran things briefly, only to be kicked aside by the Romans, who were running everything in those days. —Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2023

On his West Bank settlement, Givat Hirel, there is an award-winning winery, a busy nursery, fancy homes with dramatic hilltop views and lush green gorges below – one of which is said to be one of the battle sites of the Maccabean Revolt, an ancient Jewish uprising against Greece's Seleucid Empire. —Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 2 May 2023

Word History

Etymology

New Latin seleucides, from Seleucus I

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined above