eph·ete \ˈeˌfēt\noun (pluralephe·tae \ˈefəˌtē\ ; orephe·tai \-ˌtī\) Usage: usually capitalized Etymology: Greek ephetēs, from ephienai to command, from epi- + hienai to send : a member of an ancient Athenian court that tried certain murder cases — compare areopagite