Circe

American  

[sur-see] / ˈsɜr si /

noun

1. Also called Aeaea.  Classical Mythology. Also the enchantress represented by Homer as turning the companions of Odysseus into swine by means of a magic drink.

2. a dangerously or irresistibly fascinating woman.

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Circe British  

/ ˈsɜːsɪ, sɜːˈsɪən /

noun

1. Greek myth an enchantress who detained Odysseus on her island and turned his men into swine

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Circe Cultural  

1. In classical mythology, a powerful sorceress who turned people into swine. On the way home from Troy, the crew of Odysseus fell prey to her spells.

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Other Word Forms

• Circaean adjective
• Circean adjective

Example Sentences

Also in the field of women’s monstrosity, there’s Madeline Miller’s Circe and other contemporary feminist retellings, fiction that rehabilitates female villains of legend and literature, from Lady Macbeth to Baba Yaga to Japanese yokai.

From Slate • Oct. 28, 2024

The pattern across the jersey is inspired by a fifth-century BC vase attributed to Persephone, which depicts Ulysses and the sorceress Circe in Homer's Odyssey.

From BBC • Jul. 23, 2024

Sue Scott was in a panic when her 9-month-old fawn pug, Circe, collapsed after a recent walk.

From Washington Times • May 2, 2023

In these two books, Miller delivers provocative, imaginative retellings of the story of the goddess Circe and of Homer’s the Iliad, making them accessible and exciting to the young, modern reader.

From Washington Post • Oct. 4, 2021

“Everybody knew who did it. Same people Circe worked for—the Butlers.”

From "Song of Solomon" by Toni Morrison