platonically
1
5.8
- adverb
- /pləˈtɒnɪkli/
:
platonícamente
- Had they not had children, he would have been convinced that they cohabited platonically.
Examples
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The two roommates share their lives platonically, supporting each other without any romantic interest.
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What about just hang out platonically with Eddie tonight?
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We make our way down the line to the host of the party, a new male hire that she has grown platonically close with.
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I assure you I mean it platonically.
Blog text (5) -
Nevertheless, they live together, platonically, on various occasions throughout their lives.
Blog text (17) -
You know, platonically, if that's possible.
Fiction book (1999) -
Platonically, of course.
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Conversely, there may be an increase in the number of heterosexual women cohabiting (platonically) with other heterosexual women or with homosexual men, as the habits of increasing numbers of heterosexual men become, in the eyes of these women, threatening and disturbing.
Academic text (2012) -
They enjoy spending time together, but they are just friends, living platonically.
-
Although they have a deep emotional connection, their relationship remains platonically affectionate.
Antonyms
How Romantic
Surface Forms
Morphology
platonically = platonic (semi-transparent) = platon + ic + ally
The adverb is formed regularly from the adjective 'platonic' with -ally, but the common sense 'non-romantic, non-sexual affection' is a semantic extension that may not be obvious from the base alone.
Etymology
Platonically comes from the ancient philosopher Plato, who talked about a kind of love for the 'mind' and 'soul' rather than the body. So to care platonically for someone is to show warm, friendly affection without romance or sex.