Pantomath
Encyclopedia
A pantomath means, etymologically, a person who knows everything. Given that the actual instances of the word usage in written works are so counted, most statements about the usage or the meaning of the word are bound to remain speculative. The word itself is not to be found in common online English dictionaries, the OED, dictionaries of obscure words, or dictionaries of neologisms.
Since there are no omniscient human beings, logic dictates that there are no literal nonfictional pantomaths, but the word pantomath seems to have been used to imply a polymath in a superlative sense, a ne plus ultra (nothing more beyond) as it were, one who satisfies requirements even stricter than those to be applied to the polymath
. In theory, a pantomath is not to be confused with a polymath in its less strict sense, much less with the related but very different terms philomath
and know-it-all
.
roots παντ- 'all, every' and the root μαθ-, meaning "learning, understanding") is a person whose astonishingly wide interests and knowledge span the entire range of the arts and sciences.
to an endpoint.
As an example, the obscure and rare term seems to have been applied to those with an astonishingly wide knowledge and interests by these two authors from different eras:
An article stated that G. M. Young was called a pantomath, as did Rupert Hart-Davis
.
The following example attempts to illustrate the occurrence of these "polymaths in a superlative sense"; (however, it should not be taken as implying that there is a source where the word pantomath is used to describe Goethe). According to a critical view, Goethe's monumental breadth of knowledge and accomplishments, together with his serene, supernal wisdom, a wisdom which has been described as aloof, even inhuman, made him worthy of the denomination "Olympian
".
Since there are no omniscient human beings, logic dictates that there are no literal nonfictional pantomaths, but the word pantomath seems to have been used to imply a polymath in a superlative sense, a ne plus ultra (nothing more beyond) as it were, one who satisfies requirements even stricter than those to be applied to the polymath
Polymath
A polymath is a person whose expertise spans a significant number of different subject areas. In less formal terms, a polymath may simply be someone who is very knowledgeable...
. In theory, a pantomath is not to be confused with a polymath in its less strict sense, much less with the related but very different terms philomath
Philomath
A philomath + Greek manthanein, math- ) is a lover of learning. It is similar to but distinguished from philosophy in that "soph," the latter suffix, specifies "wisdom" or "knowledge."...
and know-it-all
Know-it-all
A know-it-all or know-all is a person who believes that he/she has an accurate comprehension of a topic and/or situation when in reality, his/her comprehension is inaccurate and limited. This belief may or may not be outwardly expressed. The German word Besserwisser is also used in some languages,...
.
Etymology
A pantomath (pantomathēs, παντομαθής, meaning "having learnt all", from the GreekGreek language
Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...
roots παντ- 'all, every' and the root μαθ-, meaning "learning, understanding") is a person whose astonishingly wide interests and knowledge span the entire range of the arts and sciences.
Uses
Typically used to convey the sense that a great individual has achieved a pinnacle of learning, that an automath has taken autodidacticismAutodidacticism
Autodidacticism is self-education or self-directed learning. In a sense, autodidacticism is "learning on your own" or "by yourself", and an autodidact is a person who teaches him or herself something. The term has its roots in the Ancient Greek words αὐτός and διδακτικός...
to an endpoint.
As an example, the obscure and rare term seems to have been applied to those with an astonishingly wide knowledge and interests by these two authors from different eras:
An article stated that G. M. Young was called a pantomath, as did Rupert Hart-Davis
Rupert Hart-Davis
Sir Rupert Charles Hart-Davis was an English publisher, editor and man of letters. He founded the publishing company Rupert Hart-Davis Ltd...
.
The following example attempts to illustrate the occurrence of these "polymaths in a superlative sense"; (however, it should not be taken as implying that there is a source where the word pantomath is used to describe Goethe). According to a critical view, Goethe's monumental breadth of knowledge and accomplishments, together with his serene, supernal wisdom, a wisdom which has been described as aloof, even inhuman, made him worthy of the denomination "Olympian
Twelve Olympians
The Twelve Olympians, also known as the Dodekatheon , in Greek mythology, were the principal deities of the Greek pantheon, residing atop Mount Olympus. Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Demeter, Hestia, and Hades were siblings. Ares, Hermes, Hephaestus, Athena, Apollo, and Artemis were children of Zeus...
".
External links
- Excerpts from a discussion of the word at Wordsmith.org: