Daphne

American  

[daf-nee] / ˈdæf ni /

noun

1. Classical Mythology. a nymph who, when pursued by Apollo, was saved by being changed into a laurel tree.

2. (lowercase) any Eurasian shrub belonging to the genus Daphne, certain species of which, as D. mezereum, are cultivated for their fragrant flowers.

3. a female given name.

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Daphne ¹ British  

/ ˈdæfnɪ /

noun

1. Greek myth a nymph who was saved from the amorous attentions of Apollo by being changed into a laurel tree

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daphne ² British  

/ ˈdæfnɪ /

noun

1. any shrub of the Eurasian thymelaeaceous genus Daphne, such as the mezereon and spurge laurel: ornamentals with shiny evergreen leaves and clusters of small bell-shaped flowers See also laurel

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Etymology

Origin of Daphne

< Latin Daphnē < Greek dáphnē laurel

Example Sentences

Ursula has shades of Gellar’s famous characters — Buffy’s physical ferocity, Kathryn Merteuil’s ruthless cattiness, Daphne Blake’s affinity for mysterious games — but doesn’t play to one exclusively.

From Salon • Mar. 26, 2026

The English actress, 30, was up for the role of Daphne Bridgerton, one of the protagonists in Season 1 of the period romance series.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 26, 2026

The Leiden Collection, named after Rembrandt’s native city, was formed by Thomas S. Kaplan and his wife, Daphne Recanati Kaplan.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 24, 2026

Daphne Stallard died at the scene of the incident, which happened at about 09:00 BST on Monday on Brookes Street, near Caroline Road, in Llandudno, Conwy county.

From BBC • Sep. 2, 2025

So I raise my hand in the air and give Daphne some of what she been giving me.

From "The Skin I'm In" by Sharon G. Flake