Eleusinian

[el-yoo-sin-ee-uhn]

adjective

1. of or relating to Eleusis or to the Eleusinian mysteries.

noun

1. a native or inhabitant of Eleusis.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Eleusinian¹

1635–45; < Latin Eleusini ( us ) < Greek Eleusínios of Eleusis + -an

Example Sentences

The ancient Eleusinian mystery rites practiced for thousands of years throughout the Mediterranean world began in the earlier half of the year for preparation of the latter half.

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Its players spend a considerable portion of their time encouraging their fans to make more noise, whipping them into an ever-increasing Eleusinian frenzy, for that very purpose.

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The priestesses of rites known as the Eleusinian Mysteries were called Melissae, which means “bees” in Greek.

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The great temple was at Eleusis, a little town near Athens, and the worship was called the Eleusinian Mysteries.

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The Eleusinian Mysteries, which were always chiefly Demeter’s, had indeed great importance.

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