Ajax

Ajax — noun

1. in ancient Greek mythology, one of the strongest Greek fighters who fought in th

1.nounB2
Definition

in ancient Greek mythology, one of the strongest Greek fighters who fought in the war against Troy. When the hero Achilles died, Ajax expected to receive his famous armour as a mark of honour, but the Greek leaders gave it to Odysseus instead. Ajax felt so humiliated by this loss of status that he killed himself.

Example

In his history class, Mateo wrote a short essay about Ajax and his role in the Trojan War.

Iker explained how Ajax, deeply dishonoured after losing the contest, took his own life.

Ajax's suicide after losing Achilles' armour to Odysseus

Common collocations
  • Ajax killed himself
  • Ajax the Great
  • armour of Achilles
  • Telamonian Ajax
  • son of Telamon
Synonyms
Antonyms

Usage Note

Often called 'Ajax the Great' or 'Telamonian Ajax' (from his father Telamon, king of Salamis) to distinguish him from the lesser Ajax.

Common Mistakes

Ajax was killed by Odysseus in battle.
Ajax killed himself after losing the armour to Odysseus.
He took his own life out of shame; Odysseus did not kill him.

2. in ancient Greek mythology, a swift Greek warrior who fought at Troy alongside A

2.nounB2
Definition

in ancient Greek mythology, a swift Greek warrior who fought at Troy alongside Ajax the Great. Unlike his stronger namesake, this Ajax was known for his speed and agility in battle.

Example

Camila learned that Ajax the Lesser was known mainly for being fast rather than strong.

Unlike the famous Ajax, this Ajax was called 'the Lesser' because he was smaller and quicker on his feet.

distinction: Ajax the Lesser known for speed, not strength

Common collocations
  • Ajax the Lesser
  • Ajax the Locrian
  • son of Oileus
  • fleet-footed Ajax
Synonyms
Antonyms

Usage Note

Almost always called 'Ajax the Lesser' or 'Ajax the Locrian' to avoid confusion with the far more famous Ajax the Great.

Common Mistakes

Ajax the Lesser was known for his great strength.
Ajax the Lesser was known for his great speed.
People often confuse the two Ajax heroes of the Trojan War.

3. a town in Ontario, Canada, located on the northern shore of Lake Ontario. It was

3.nounB1
Definition

a town in Ontario, Canada, located on the northern shore of Lake Ontario. It was named after HMS Ajax, a British Royal Navy cruiser that fought at the Battle of the River Plate in 1939.

Example

Vinícius drove from Toronto to Ajax last weekend to visit the Lake Ontario waterfront.

Ajax as a Canadian town on Lake Ontario

Adisa learned that Ajax was named after a British warship from the Battle of the River Plate.

town named after HMS Ajax from the Battle of the River Plate

Common collocations
  • town of Ajax
  • Ajax Ontario
  • Lake Ontario town
  • growing community

Usage Note

The town of Ajax took its name from the British warship HMS Ajax (1934), a Leander-class cruiser that fought at the Battle of the River Plate, not directly from the Greek mythological figure.

Common Mistakes

Ajax is a town named after the Greek hero.
The town Ajax in Ontario is named after HMS Ajax, a British warship, not directly after the Greek hero.
The connection to the ship name is indirect.

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

'Ajax' (noun/1) refers to the famous Greek hero — son of Telamon, king of Salamis. He is commonly called 'Ajax the Great' or 'Telamonian Ajax' to distinguish him from the lesser Ajax (noun/2), who was the son of Oileus. The epithet 'the Great' signals his superior strength and reputation among the Greek warriors at Troy, while 'Telamonian' specifies his father's name. In most modern writing, plain 'Ajax' on its own refers to this sense; the lesser Ajax is almost always given a modifier such as 'the Lesser' or 'the Locrian' for clarity. Use 'Ajax the Great' when the distinction between the two Ajax figures matters in your text.

Telamonian AjaxAjax the GreatAjax ↗

Etymology

pre-GreekGreekLatinEnglish

The name comes from Latin 'Aiax', which was borrowed from Greek 'Aias' (Αἴας). In Homer's Iliad, two Greek heroes share this name but have different fathers — Telamon and Oileus — and very different fates. The origin of the Greek name is uncertain; some scholars suggest it may come from a pre-Greek word, possibly related to 'aia' (αἶα), an ancient Greek word for 'earth' or 'land'.

First known use

15th century

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1