Delphic

[del-fik]

adjective

1. of or relating to Delphi.

2. of or relating to Apollo, or to his temples or oracles.

3. (often lowercase),  oracular; obscure; ambiguous.

   She was known for her Delphic pronouncements.

Delphic

/ ˈdɛlfɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to Delphi or its oracle or temple

2. obscure or ambiguous

Other Word Forms

• delphically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of Delphic¹

1590–1600; < Latin Delphicus < Greek Delphikós, equivalent to Delph ( oí ) Delphi + -ikos -ic

Example Sentences

Called “The Four Sibyls,” the frescoes depict the female seers of ancient Greek and Roman mythology, including the Roman, Cumaean, Erythraean and Delphic sibyls.

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The judge’s forlorn prediction is a safe one given the Supreme Court’s Delphic opinion and the Justice Department’s subsequent superseding indictment in the case.

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The court’s fairly Delphic order retains a stay on the case pending its consideration of the merits, with oral arguments scheduled for the week of April 22.

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The multiple frame photography and video works, lavishly textured and devotionally rendered, operate as Delphic objects, portals to nature.

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He must go to the Taurian country, the Delphic priestess said, and bring away the sacred image of Artemis from her temple.

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Related Words

• ambiguous 
• arcane 
• enigmatic 
• equivocal 
• incomprehensible 
• mysterious 
• strange 
• vague 
• veiled