Minerva

[mi-nur-vuh]

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.

Examples 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

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

Word Origin and History for minerva

Minerva

ancient Roman goddess of arts, crafts, and sciences; wisdom, sense, and reflection (later identified with Greek Athene), late 14c., mynerfe, from Latin Minerva, from Old Latin Menerva, from *menes-wa, from PIE root *men- "mind, understanding, reason" (see mind (n.)). Cf. Sanskrit Manasvini, name of the mother of the Moon, manasvin "full of mind or sense." Related: Minerval.