croe·sus \ˈkrēsəs\noun (pluralcroesuses \-ēsəsə̇z\ ; alsocroe·si \-ēˌsī\) Usage: usually capitalized Etymology: after Croesus died 546B.C. wealthy king of ancient Lydia, from Latin, from Greek Kroisos : a very rich man < the arrogant Croesus of the neighborhood who was brought down to size … by the parish drunk — New York Times Book Review >