ephebus

noun

ephe·bus i-ˈfē-bəs

e-

plural ephebi i-ˈfē-ˌbī

e-

: a youth of ancient Greece

especially : an Athenian 18 or 19 years old in training for full citizenship

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from Greek ephēbos, from epi- + hēbē youth, puberty

First Known Use

1627, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of ephebus was in 1627

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Browse Nearby Words

ephebic

ephebus

ephectic

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Ephebus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ephebus. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.

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