Definition of peripatetic

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< periotic

peripatus >

per·i·pa·tet·ic    (pr-p-ttk) KEY 

ADJECTIVE:

1. Walking about or from place to place; traveling on foot.
2. Peripatetic Of or relating to the philosophy or teaching methods of Aristotle, who conducted discussions while walking about in the Lyceum of ancient Athens.

NOUN:

1. One who walks from place to place; an itinerant.
2. Peripatetic A follower of the philosophy of Aristotle; an Aristotelian.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English peripatetik, from Latin peripatticus, from Greek peripattikos, from peripatein, to walk about, or from peripatos, covered walk (where Aristotle allegedly lectured) : peri-, peri- + patein, to walk; see pent- in Indo-European roots