int. (sb.) [Gr. εὔρηκα, 1st pers. sing. perf. of εὑρίσκειν to find. The correct spelling heureka is rare.]
1. The exclamation (‘I have found it’) uttered by Archimedes when he discovered the means of determining (by specific gravity) the proportion of base metal in Hiero’s golden crown. (See Vitruvius Arch. IX. iii., Plutarch Mor. (Didot) 1338.) Hence allusively, an exulting exclamation at having made a discovery.
[1570. Dee, Math. Pref., c.ij. b. For this, may I (with ioy) say, ΕΥΡΗΚΑ, ΕΥΡΗΚΑ, ΕΥΡΗΚΑ.]
1603. Holland, Plutarch’s Mor., 590. [Archimedes] crying out, Heureca, Heureca, that is to say, I have found it, I have found it.
1658. trans. Porta’s Nat. Magick, XVIII. viii. 384. We have gone beyond Archimedes his Eureka.
1742. Fielding, J. Andrews, II. xiii. (ed. 2), 267. Adams … returned overjoyed … crying out ‘Eureka’ [ed. 1 (1742), Ευρηκα; ed. 3 (1743) Heureka.]
1818. Byron, Ch. Har., IV. lxxxi. We clap Our hands, and cry ‘Eureka!’
1862. Burton, Bk.-Hunter, I. 34. A triumphant cry of Eureka! calls me to his place of rest.
1877. Farrar, My Youth, viii. 73. That great Eureka,—‘We have found the Messiah.’
2. A discovery justifying self-congratulation. Often used attrib. by advertising tradesmen in the names given to special articles of manufacture.
1853. Advt., in Athenæum, 29 Jan., 151. Eureka shirts.
1854. Badham, Halieut., 233. A recent addition to the long list of modern Mediterranean eurekas.
