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The words "Aristotle" and "aristocrat", any relationship existing?
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Maple  #393893  Thu, 19 Jul 07 09:33 AM

Is it a pure coincidence that "aristocrat" and "Aristotle" spell alike?

Thanks a lot!
  
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Feebs11  #393941  Thu, 19 Jul 07 11:01 AM
Aristocracy >>ORIGIN Greek aristokratia, from "aristos" [best] + -"kratia" [power].

Aristotle >> Greek "aristos"[best] + "totalis"[of all]

It is coincidence.
  
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Mister Micawber  #393947  Thu, 19 Jul 07 11:11 AM

'Aristos' means 'best' in Greek.  Since Aristotle was a Greek lad, and since there were presumably a number of Aristotles, Aristophaneses and other Aristo-s, it is a good bet that doting parents would choose a name with that kind of prefix.
  
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'The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'which is to be master-- that's all.'
Maple  #393952  Thu, 19 Jul 07 11:28 AM

So, It's the same root which means best makes the first part of them spell the same. That's the link I'd been curious about.

Thank you Feebs and Mr Micawber! Smile [:)]Coffee [C]
  
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