coryphaeus

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

noun

, plural cor·y·phae·i [kawr-, uh, -, fee, -ahy, kor-].

1. the leader of the chorus in the ancient Greek drama.
2. the leader of an operatic chorus or any group of singers.

coryphaeus

/ ˌkɒrɪˈfiːəs /

noun

1. (in ancient Greek drama) the leader of the chorus
2. archaic.
   a leader of a group

Word History and Origins

Origin of coryphaeus¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of coryphaeus¹

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

Example Sentences

Mrs. Smith threw in her sentiments between the acts, as Coryphaeus of the tragedy, to make the description complete.

From Project Gutenberg