Orphic
Americanadjective
-
of or relating to Orpheus or Orphism
-
(sometimes not capital) mystical or occult
Other Word Forms
- Orphically adverb
Etymology
Origin of Orphic
1670–80; < Greek Orphikós (cognate with Latin Orphicus ), equivalent to Orph ( eús ) Orpheus + -ikos -ic
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But the most important thing — an Orphic struggle if ever there was one — was not to look back.
From Washington Post • Nov. 17, 2021
He knew he wanted to expand on his Orpheus-theme cantata, “The Orphic Moment.”
From New York Times • Jan. 31, 2020
Aucoin first explored the subject in a 2014 piece for countertenor, violin and orchestra called “The Orphic Moment.”
From Seattle Times • Jan. 29, 2020
Red Hen Press: The Figure of Orpheus in Poetry and Performance Contemporary poems on the Orphic theme, plus pianist Paul Barnes performs his solo-piano transcription of Philip Glass’ “Orphée” symphony.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 26, 2019
It was the same, in emblematical writing, as the Orphic epithet, Pan-genetor, universal generator, in which sense it is still employed by the Hindus.”
From Phallic Miscellanies Facts and Phases of Ancient and Modern Sex Worship, as Illustrated Chiefly in the Religions of India by Jennings, Hargrave
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
