aias

aias — noun

1. The original Greek form of the name Ajax, referring to one of two Greek heroes i

1.nounC2
Definition

The original Greek form of the name Ajax, referring to one of two Greek heroes in ancient stories about the Trojan War — especially the stronger and taller warrior known as Ajax the Great, who fought to protect the Greek ships.

Example

In the Iliad, Aias hurls a massive stone at the Trojan hero Hector.

Sophocles wrote of Aias, who falls into a mad rage after losing a contest.

proper noun referring to a Greek mythological figure

Common collocations
  • Aias the Great
  • Telamonian Aias
  • Locrian Aias
  • the madness of Aias
  • the shield of Aias
  • Aias and Hector
Synonyms
  • Ajax

    the standard English spelling of the same name, used in nearly all modern translations and general references

Usage Note

This spelling follows the original Greek (Αἴας). In most modern English texts the Latin-derived spelling Ajax is used, but Aias appears in scholarly translations of ancient Greek literature and in academic discussions of classical mythology.

Common Mistakes

The hero Aias fought alongside Hector.
The hero Aias fought alongside the Greeks against the Trojans.
Hector was a Trojan prince and enemy of Aias, not an ally.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Aias and Ajax refer to the same Greek mythological hero. Aias (Αἴας) is the original Greek spelling of the name, while Ajax is the Latinised form that became standard in English through Roman translations of Greek literature. Ajax is the form most readers will recognise from modern books, films, and casual references. Aias is used mainly in academic or scholarly contexts, especially when translators want to stay close to the original Greek pronunciation and spelling. For example, a university course on Homeric epic might use Aias throughout the syllabus, while a popular novel about the Trojan War would almost certainly use Ajax.

Ajax ↗Aias ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • the story of Aias
  • the madness of Aias
  • the fate of Aias

Prepositions

  • of Aias
  • about Aias

Etymology

GreekLatinEnglish

From the ancient Greek name Αἴας (Aias), of uncertain origin. It may be connected to a pre-Greek word or possibly relate to the Greek verb αἰάζω (aiazō), meaning 'to lament' or 'to cry out in grief' — fitting for a hero whose story involves a tragic end. The Latinised form Ajax became standard in English via Roman literature and French influence.