Literary notes about phren (AI summary)
The term "phren" has been employed in literature with a dual focus. At times it underscores the intellectual or mental faculties, forming the basis for words like phrenology, which examines the science of the mind and contributes to our understanding of statesmanship and moral wisdom [1, 2, 3, 4]. In other instances, its usage connects to physical aspects, such as referencing the diaphragm, from which adjectives like "phrenic" derive [1, 5]. This dual connotation illustrates that "phren" captures both the abstract realm of thought and concrete bodily elements.
- Thus the Greeks derived their word for moral wisdom from Phren, the diaphragm, and the Romans by 'egregie cordatus homo' meant a wise statesman.)
— from The Boys' and Girls' Plutarch Being Parts of the "Lives" of Plutarch, Edited for Boys and Girls by Plutarch - phren , the mind —phrenology, frantic, frenzy.
— from New Word-AnalysisOr, School Etymology of English Derivative Words by William Swinton - The word phrenology comes from the Greek word phren , meaning the mind, and logus , meaning science—the science of the mind.
— from What's What in America by Eugene V. (Eugene Valentine) Brewster - It is derived from two Greek words— Phren intelligence Logos “discourse” or science.
— from How to Become Rich: A Treatise on Phrenology, Choice of Professions and Matrimony by William Windsor - Phren´ic , n. Pertaining to the diaphragm.
— from A History of North American Birds; Land Birds; Vol. 3 of 3 by Robert Ridgway
