Hellenises

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. Makes something adopt Greek language, culture, or customs, or causes it to become characteristically Greek in form or manner
2. Imbues with Greek characteristics, traditions, or influence, causing something to take on a distinctly Hellenic quality
3. Transforms something to align with Greek civilization, values, or aesthetic through cultural assimilation or stylistic change

Etymology: "Hellenises" is the third-person singular present form of "hellenise," so its history is that of the verb. The verb is built from "Hellen," the name the ancient Greeks used for themselves, which is also the root of "Hellenic," "Hellene," and "Hellas," the Greek name for Greece. Adding the suffix "-ise" (a British spelling of "-ize," from Greek "-izein," meaning to make or to conform to) produces a verb meaning to make Greek or to render something in Greek style, character, or culture. The "-ise" ending is the familiar one found in verbs like "civilise" or "modernise," so the new formation is straightforward. The verb's use is what gives it its interest: it describes both the translation of texts and ideas into Greek and the adoption of Greek customs by others.

Synonyms: Hellenizes