adj. & n.
adj. of or relating to the Greek philosopher Socrates (d. 399 BC) or his philosophy, esp. the method associated with him of seeking the truth by a series of questions and answers.
n. a follower of Socrates. Socratic irony a pose of ignorance assumed in order to entice others into making statements that can then be challenged. Socratically adv.
[ L Socraticus f. Gk Sokratikos f. Sokrates ]