English Explanatory Dictionary

political animal

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A person driven by political motives.

Word forms

political animal political animals

Etymology

Calque of Ancient Greek πολιτικὸν ζῷον (politikòn zōîon), originally a concept taken from Aristotle at various places (History of Animals, Politics), though later as character type – possibly inherited in political families – introduced into everyday politics without philosophical background.

Related words

zoon politikon
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