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Here it is used in a sentence

It is therefore a priori probable that Plato πυθαγοριζει in the passage where he says that between two planes one mean suffices, but to connect two solids, two means are necessary. - Sir Thomas Heath: A History of Greek Mathematics, Volume I: From Thales to Euclid, page 89

I realize this is not an equation question, but this forum might seems an appropriate place to ask a question about words used in discussions of number theory

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    $\begingroup$ I guess it means something like 'to act or reason like a Pythagorician". In any case, it would be helpful to tell us from which Plato's book this verb comes. $\endgroup$
    – Sylvain JULIEN
    Feb 14, 2018 at 7:15
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    $\begingroup$ I have added the text where it is most likely taken from. If needed, plese edit your post to correct this, user120785. $\endgroup$
    – Martin Sleziak
    Feb 14, 2018 at 7:21
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    $\begingroup$ For the intertwining and influences between what appears to be today Plato's and Pythagora's heritage, the works of Jules Vuillemin are enlightening. You should for instance check "Mathématiques platoniciennes et pythagoriciennes" and the associated references. $\endgroup$
    – Desiderius Severus
    Feb 14, 2018 at 7:46
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    $\begingroup$ There is also a Latin Language Stack Exchange, and it welcomes some questions about Greek. Plato and his works are at least on-topic. If you want to have this question migrated there and MO moderators don't object, it's possible. $\endgroup$
    – Joonas Ilmavirta
    Feb 14, 2018 at 15:53
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    $\begingroup$ chat.stackexchange.com/transcript/message/42864817#42864817 $\endgroup$
    – JRN
    Feb 16, 2018 at 11:28

1 Answer 1

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The verb is πυθαγορίζω (infinitive πυθαγορίζειν), formed by adding the derivative suffix -ιζω to the name of Pythagoras (Πυθαγόρας). So it just means "to be [or, in the context you quote, presumably, to act as] a disciple of Pythagoras"; or, to use an English equivalent, "to Pythagorize".

Sources:

  • The "Pythagorize" entry from Oxford Dictionaries (I'm not sure whether this coincides with the OED), which gives the etymology as "from ancient Greek Πυθαγορίζειν to be a disciple of Pythagoras from Πυθαγόρας, the name of Pythagoras + -ίζειν".

  • Perseus Greek word study tool [click on "LSJ"] translates it as "to be a disciple of Pythagoras", quoting uses: Antiph.226.8, Alex.220.1.

  • The entry for the suffix -ίζω in Wiktionary.

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    $\begingroup$ “Oxford Dictionaries” isn’t the same as the OED, but they’re sibling publications, from the same publishers. The difference is explained here: broadly, the OED is more scholarly/historical, while Oxford Dictionaries focuses on accessibility and current usage. The OED entry for Pythagorize (paywalled, but usually accessible from universities) gives the same primary meaning as the Oxford Dictionaries entry, but adds a couple of mode recondite senses. $\endgroup$
    – Peter LeFanu Lumsdaine
    Feb 14, 2018 at 12:02

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