Memnon

[ mem-non ]

/ ˈmɛm nɒn /

noun

Colossus of, (in ancient Egypt) a colossal statue near Thebes said to produce a musical sound when the rays of the early morning sun struck it.Compare Vocal Memnon.

Classical Mythology. an Ethiopian king slain by Achilles in the Trojan War.

Related forms

Mem·no·ni·an

[mem-noh-nee-uh n] /mɛmˈnoʊ ni ən/, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for memnon

What did they know of the beam of light that shone on the sonorous lap of their statue Memnon?
The Hills and the Vale|Richard Jefferies
Achilles then challenged Memnon, and the two heroes fought in presence of both armies.
The Story of Troy|Michael Clarke
The spirit of poesy is the morning light, which makes the statue of Memnon sound.
Dictionary of Quotations from Ancient and Modern, English and Foreign Sources|James Wood
Memnon was the son of Aurora and Tithonus, and was dearly loved by his young and beautiful mother.
'Round the Year in Myth and Song|Florence Holbrook

It was just the same a year and a half ago with Memnon's palace.
The Bride of the Nile, Complete|Georg Ebers

British Dictionary definitions for memnon

Memnon

/ (ˈmɛmnɒn) /

noun

Greek myth a king of Ethiopia, son of Eos: slain by Achilles in the Trojan War

a colossal statue of Amenhotep III at Thebes in ancient Egypt, which emitted a sound thought by the Greeks to be the voice of Memnon

Derived Forms

Memnonian (mɛmˈnəʊnɪən), adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012