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Cincinnatus

Cincinnatus

1 9.9
A Roman leader who gives up power and returns to his farm
  • proper noun
: Cincinnato
  • George Washington, farmer of Mt. Vernon, was the Cincinnatus of the American Revolution, leaving his farm to lead the American forces to victory.
  • Lucius Cincinnatus
  • Cincinnatus, the Roman

And like Cincinnatus, I am returning to my plan and I will be offering this government nothing for the most fervent support.

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Examples

  • After he served, he went back to farming a la Cincinnatus.

    Blog text (32)
  • Cincinnatus was celebrated for giving up power as soon as possible.

    Blog text (32)
  • We remember Washington as the "perfect Cincinnatus, the Roman patriot who returned to his farm after his victories in war."

    Academic text (2009)
  • Cincinnatus is remembered for giving up power and returning to his farm after serving as dictator.

  • In many discussions of integrity in leadership, the example of Cincinnatus often comes to mind.

  • The story of Cincinnatus illustrates the value of humility and the importance of civic duty.

Surface Forms

Etymology

The word Cincinnatus comes from the Latin word cincinnus, which means 'curl' or 'lock of hair', so it began as a name about hair. Because the real Roman Cincinnatus left power and went back to his farm, his name now reminds people of humble, honest leadership.