rhadamanthine

adjective

rhad·​a·​man·​thine ˌra-də-ˈman(t)-thən 

-ˈman-ˌthīn

often capitalized

: rigorously strict or just

Did you know?

In Greek mythology, there were three judges of the underworld: Minos, Aeacus, and Rhadamanthus. Minos, a son of Zeus and Europa, had been the king of Crete before becoming supreme judge in the underworld after his death. Aeacus, another son of Zeus, was king of Aegina before joining the underworld triumvirate. Rhadamanthus, brother of Minos and king of the Cyclades Islands, was especially known for being inflexible when administering his judgment - hence, the meaning of "rhadamanthine" as "rigorously strict or just."

Word History

Etymology

Rhadamanthus + -ine entry 1

First Known Use

1659, in the meaning defined above

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