νεωτερικός
neōterikós
G3512 attributive adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Pertaining to youth or young people; youthful in age, character, or associated traits. The primary lexical meaning is 'of youth' or 'characteristic of younger persons', with possible nuance of 'typical of those who are young', including behaviors or attitudes associated with youth. In some contexts, may imply immaturity, inexperience, or impetuosity rather than merely chronological age.
Semantic Range
youthful, pertaining to youth, characteristic of young people, reflecting inexperience or immaturity, innovative or novel (in negative or neutral sense depending on context)
Root / Etymology
From the comparative form of νέος ('new, young'), with the adjectival suffix -ικός forming an adjective meaning 'pertaining to youth' or 'characteristic of the young'.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Attested in classical and Hellenistic Greek, νεωτερικός describes things, behaviors, or people characterized by youth or youthful qualities. In non-biblical Greek, it may refer not only to chronological age but also to behaviors or actions considered rash, immature, or innovative in a way that is perceived as unorthodox by older generations. Commonly used to contrast with more mature or established figures (e.g., νεώτερος vs. πρεσβύτερος). In the New Testament (Acts 2:17), the word refers to 'young men' in parallel with 'elders', emphasizing the youthful age group rather than conveying negative connotations. English translations often render the word as 'youthful', 'young men', or adjectives denoting youth, but may not fully express the potential nuances of inexperience, immaturity, or innovation signaled by context in Greek usage. The noun form νεωτερισμός referred to innovation, novelty, or revolution.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from the comparative of νέος; appertaining to younger persons, i.e. juvenile:--youthful.
Root Family
νεωτέρ- (neōterikós) — young, youthful, new, innovative
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3512-01 |
νεωτερικὰς | neoterikas | ADJ.A ACC F PL |
youthful | youthful | youthful | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3512-01 |
2 Timothy 2:22 | νεωτερικὰς | neoterikas | ADJ.A ACC F PL |
youthful | youthful | youthful |