Nessus

or Nes·sos

[ nes-uhs ]

/ ˈnɛs əs /

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noun Classical Mythology.

a centaur who, on attempting to seduce Deianira, the wife of Hercules, was shot by Hercules with a poisoned arrow. Before Nessus died, he gave to Deianira the poisoned tunic that ultimately caused Hercules' death.

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Words nearby Nessus

ness, Nesselrode, Nessie, nesslerize, Nessler's reagent, Nessus, nest, NESTA, nest box, nested, nest egg

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How to use Nessus in a sentence

If you use it wisely, it may be Ulysses' hauberk; if you reject it, the shirt of Nessus were a cooler winding-sheet!
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
Nessus, before expiring, instructed Dejanira how to prepare a love potion for Hercules.
The Mysteries of All Nations|James Grant
But was it not really deadly as a shirt of Nessus, the poison of which would penetrate her limbs, would creep into her very soul?
Bella Donna|Robert Hichens
If it is money, it stings; if it is place and position, it becomes the shirt of Nessus.
The Art of Entertaining|M. E. W. Sherwood

In London however this Centauric school of medicine had not thriven, when the rude Nessus could not heal himself.
Cripps, the Carrier|R. D. (Richard Doddridge) Blackmore

British Dictionary definitions for Nessus

Nessus

/ (ˈnɛsəs) /

noun

Greek myth a centaur that killed Hercules. A garment dipped in its blood fatally poisoned Hercules, who had been given it by Deianira who thought it was a love charm

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