polymath

Definitions

poly- (many) + math (from manthanein, 'to learn') = 'one who has learned many things.' Here math keeps the root's original broad sense of 'learning,' not the narrow 'mathematics.' A polymath is someone whose expertise spans many fields — art, science, philosophy — the classic Renaissance figure.

Why It Means This

polymath shows the root's older meaning surviving intact. While mathematics narrowed 'learning' down to 'number,' polymath kept the wide sense: poly- 'many' + math 'learned' = someone who has learned across many domains. Compare its rarer cousin philomath, 'a lover of learning.'

Common Collocations

• 1.Renaissance polymath文艺复兴式博学者
• 2.true polymath真正的通才
• 3.celebrated polymath著名的博学者
• 4.polymath genius博学的天才

Example Sentences

• 1.

  Leonardo da Vinci was the ultimate polymath, excelling in art and science alike.

• 2.

  She is a true polymath, equally at home in music, law, and medicine.

• 3.

  The professor's polymath interests ranged from physics to poetry.