Minerva

[ mi-nur-vuh ]

/ mɪˈnɜr və /

noun

the ancient Roman goddess of wisdom and the arts, identified with the Greek goddess Athena.

a woman of great wisdom.

a female given name.

QUIZZES

DO YOU KNOW THIS VOCABULARY FROM "THE HANDMAID'S TALE"?

"The Handmaid's Tale" was required reading for many of us in school. Everyone else has probably watched the very popular and addictive TV show. Do you remember this vocabulary from the book, and do you know what these terms mean?

Question 1 of 10

decorum

the act of or need for making up one's mind.

dignified propriety of behavior, speech, dress, etc.

a company of singers, especially an organized group employed in church service.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for minerva

Northup was born in the New York town of Minerva in 1808, and held numerous jobs upstate, one of which was a violinist.
The ‘12 Years a Slave’ Book Shows Slavery As Even More Appalling Than In the Film|Jimmy So|October 18, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Outside, on the roof, the clock is flanked by more Beaux Arts touches: statues of Hercules, Mercury, and Minerva.
Grand Central Terminal: 100 Years, 100 Facts|Sarah Begley|February 1, 2013|DAILY BEAST
That afternoon, Maria presented her Minerva Awards to five “remarkable women” who have changed lives.
28,000 X Chromosomes Strong|Lynn Sherr|October 24, 2008|DAILY BEAST
Inspired by Minerva with a boldness not her own, she stood and watched this strange interloper.
Half a Hundred Hero Tales|Various

Then Jove's daughter Minerva came up to them, having assumed the form and voice of Mentor.
The Odyssey|Homer
But go thou to the temple of Minerva the pillager, with victims, having assembled the matrons of distinction.
The Iliad of Homer (1873)|Homer
Now all that was downright selfish; it reminds one of a story—a sort of fairy-tale—about Minerva and Arachne.
Story Lessons of Character Building (Morals) and Manners|Los Bates
Mrs. Leo Hunter herself, in the character of Minerva, insisted on presenting Mr. Pickwick to all the guests.
Tales from Dickens|Charles Dickens and Hallie Erminie Rives

British Dictionary definitions for minerva

Minerva

/ (mɪˈnɜːvə) /

noun

the Roman goddess of wisdomGreek counterpart: Athena

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

Cultural definitions for minerva

Minerva

The Roman name of Athena, the Greek and Roman goddess of wisdom.

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Minerva

noun

QUIZZES

DO YOU KNOW THIS VOCABULARY FROM "THE HANDMAID'S TALE"?

Example sentences from the Web for minerva

British Dictionary definitions for minerva

noun

Cultural definitions for minerva