noun
- plural of ananke; in Greek philosophy and mythology, the personification of necessity or fate; an inevitable force or constraint.
Usage: classical/philosophical; often capitalized when referring to the mythological figure; rare in modern English; primarily used in academic or literary contexts
Examples
- The ancient Greeks believed that the anankes governed human affairs beyond mortal control.
- In classical texts, anankes represents the inexorable forces of destiny.
- The philosopher argued that anankes constrains all beings, even the gods.
- Some scholars interpret anankes as the principle of cosmic necessity in Stoic thought.