Athena

American  

[uh-thee-nuh] / əˈθi nə /

noun

1. Also called Pallas Athena.  Also called Pallas.  Also Athene the virgin deity of the ancient Greeks worshiped as the goddess of wisdom, fertility, the useful arts, and prudent warfare. At her birth she sprang forth fully armed from the head of her father, Zeus.

2. a first name.

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Athena British  

/ əˈθiːnɪ, əˈθiːnə /

noun

1. Also called: Pallas Athena.   Pallas.  Roman counterpart: Minerva.  Greek myth a virgin goddess of wisdom, practical skills, and prudent warfare. She was born, fully armed, from the head of Zeus

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Athena Cultural  

1. The Greek and Roman goddess of wisdom. She had an unusual birth, springing fully grown out of the forehead of her father, Zeus. Athena was one of the goddesses angered by the Judgment of Paris, a Trojan, and she therefore helped the Greeks in the ensuing Trojan War (see also Trojan War). Eventually, she became the protector of Odysseus on his journey home.

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Discover More

Athena was the guardian of the city of Athens (see also Athens), which was named in her honor.

Compare meaning

How does athena compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• Minerva vs. Athena

Example Sentences

Mr. Mokyr’s 2016 book, “A Culture of Growth,” is perhaps his clearest articulation of these ideas, but it’s an older book, “The Gifts of Athena,” that I find myself reaching for much more often.

From The Wall Street Journal

The company’s uncrewed lander, nicknamed Athena, successfully reached the moon, but fell on its side and was unable to recharge.

From MarketWatch

News of the princess's second pregnancy was announced by Buckingham Palace in October last year, and she gave birth to her second daughter Athena Elizabeth Rose in January.

From BBC

Athena isn’t a particularly intimidating antagonist, given that Julian seems to have forgotten to give her crucial abilities and weapons.

From The Wall Street Journal

Mr Legakis, a freelance photographer who runs the Athena Picture Agency in Swansea, was arrested while covering the fire which damaged more than 20 vehicles.

From BBC