Pasiphaë

[ puh-sif-uh-ee ]

noun

1. Classical Mythology. the wife of Minos, mother of Ariadne, and mother of the Minotaur by the Cretan bull.
2. Astronomy. a small moon of the planet Jupiter.

Pasiphaë

¹

/ pəˈsɪfɪiː /

noun

1. astronomy a small outer satellite of the planet Jupiter

Pasiphaë

²

/ pəˈsɪfɪiː /

noun

1. Greek myth the wife of Minos and mother (by a bull) of the Minotaur

Word History and Origins

Origin of Pasiphaë¹

First recorded in 1775–85

Example Sentences

Pasiphaë's monstrous passion for a bull is certainly a subject enough fitted for bucolics.

From Project Gutenberg

During this diversion, a bull covered Pasiphaë, concealed within a wooden statue of a cow, as many of the spectators believed.

From Project Gutenberg

Dædalus, who abetted the love of Pasiphaë for the Cretan bull, afterwards lost the favor of Minos and was imprisoned by him.

From Project Gutenberg