coryphaeus

[ kawr-uh-fee-uhs, kor- ]

noun,plural cor·y·phae·i [kawr-uh-fee-ahy, kor-]. /ˌkɔr əˈfi aɪ, ˌkɒr-/.
  1. the leader of the chorus in the ancient Greek drama.

  2. the leader of an operatic chorus or any group of singers.

Origin of coryphaeus

1
1625–35; <Latin <Greek koryphaîos leading, equivalent to koryph() head, top + -aîos noun suffix

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British Dictionary definitions for coryphaeus

coryphaeus

/ (ˌkɒrɪˈfiːəs) /


nounplural -phaei (-ˈfiːaɪ)
  1. (in ancient Greek drama) the leader of the chorus

  2. archaic, or literary a leader of a group

Origin of coryphaeus

1
C17: from Latin, from Greek koruphaios leader, from koruphē summit

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