Morpheus

[ mawr-fee-uh s, -fyoos ]

/ ˈmɔr fi əs, -fyus /

noun

Classical Mythology. a son of Hypnos and the god of dreams.

Idioms

in the arms of Morpheus, asleep.

Origin of Morpheus

1325–75; Middle English < Latin < Greek morph(ḗ) form + Latin -eus noun suffix; coined by Ovid, with allusion to the forms seen in dreams

Related formsMor·phe·an, adjective

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

Examples from the Web for morpheus

Project Morpheus developers will be able to guarantee a consistent experience for every user; Rift developers will not.
The Game You Wear on Your Face: Virtual Reality Is Finally Here|Alec Kubas-Meyer|May 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
However, after an excellent supper, we spent two hours in amorous raptures, and then Morpheus claimed us for his own.
The Memoires of Casanova, Complete|Jacques Casanova de Seingalt
Phantasus and Morpheus contended for possession of him: the first had the advantage.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 61, No. 377, March 1847|Various
Fatigued, at length I stopped, and without much delay, committed myself to the friendship of Morpheus.
Forty Years in the Wilderness of Pills and Powders|William A. Alcott

Soon the regular breathing, like the purring of a great drowsy cat, informed Esther that her aunt was in Morpheus's arms.
Garrick's Pupil|Auguston Filon
She shot a poisonous glance at Morpheus, whose eyes were now completely closed.
Pagan Passions|Gordon Randall Garrett

British Dictionary definitions for morpheus

Morpheus

/ (ˈmɔːfɪəs, -fjuːs) /

noun

Greek myth the god of sleep and dreams

Derived FormsMorphean, 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

Word Origin and History for morpheus

Morpheus

name for the god of dreams in Ovid, son of Sleep, literally "the maker of shapes," from Greek morphe "form, shape, figure," especially "a fine figure, a beautiful form; beauty, fashion, outward appearance," perhaps from PIE *merph-, a possible Greek root meaning "form." Related: Morphean. Cf. Morpho, an epithet of Aphrodite, literally "shapely."

Culture definitions for morpheus

Morpheus

[ (mawr-fee-uhs) ]

A Roman god of sleep and dreams.

Note

Someone who is “in the arms of Morpheus” is asleep.

Note

The narcotic morphine was named after Morpheus.