Minerva

[ mi-nur-vuh ]

/ mɪˈnɜr və /

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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.

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Origin of Minerva

First recorded before 1000 for def. 1; 1780–85 for def. 2; from Latin Minerva, earlier Menerva, from unattested Meneswā, perhaps meaning “intelligent, wise (woman),” or “woman who measures (the phases of the moon)”

Words nearby Minerva

mineral wool, miner's anemia, miner's inch, miner's lettuce, miner's right, Minerva, minestrone, minesweeper, minette, minever, mineworker

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use Minerva in a sentence

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
The olive, too, was sacred to Minerva, and as the symbol of peace was woven into the victors crown.
The Catacombs of Rome|William Henry Withrow

Athene (Roman Minerva) however, the goddess of wisdom, had a character without a flaw, and ranked with Apollo in wisdom.
Beacon Lights of History, Volume I|John Lord
The feast of Minerva lasted five days, when offerings were made by all mechanics, artists, and scholars.
Beacon Lights of History, Volume I|John Lord
At this time the minds of our yachtsmen were sorely fretted by the performance of the cutter 'Minerva' from Scotland.
Yachting Vol. 2|Various.
But a new art does not rise from the mind of a nation as Minerva is said to have risen from the head of Jupiter.
Frederick Chopin as a Man and Musician|Frederick Niecks

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.