Definition of "Milesian"

Milesian¹

/mʌɪˈliːzɪən/

noun
plural Milesians
1. (historical) a native or inhabitant of the ancient city of Miletus in Asia Minor.
2. a follower of the Milesian school of philosophy founded by Thales
adjective
comparative more Milesian, superlative most Milesian
1. Pertaining to Miletus or its inhabitants.
  Quotations
  I commend the Milesian wench, who seeing Thales the Philosopher continually ammusing himselfe in the contemplation of heavens-wide-bounding vault, and ever holding his eyes aloft, laid something in his way to make him stumble […].
  1603, Michel de Montaigne, chapter 12, in John Florio, transl., The Essayes […], book II, London: […] Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […]

adjective
comparative more Milesian, superlative most Milesian
1. Pertaining to Milesius or his people; Irish.
  Quotations
  My father was the youngest son of a numerous family, all Irish, sprung from a very ancient and honourable stock, being of Milesian descent […] .
  1808–10, William Hickey, Memoirs of a Georgian Rake, Folio Society 1995, p. 1
  […] exultingly cried Lord Carhampton, stealing an underlook at Maurice O'Driscoll, whom [sic] he knew was wont to boast of his Milesian lineage; […]
  1884, M. L. O'Byrne, Ill-won Peerages, Or, An Unhallowed Union, page 427
noun
plural Milesians
1. A member of a people in Irish mythology, the descendants of Míl Espáine.
2. (dated, sometimes humorous) An Irishman; someone of Irish origin.