Paphian

[ pey-fee-uhn ]

adjective

1. of or relating to Paphos, an ancient city of Cyprus sacred to Aphrodite.
2. of or relating to love, especially illicit sexual love; erotic; wanton.
3. noting or pertaining to Aphrodite or to her worship or service.

noun

1. the Paphian, Aphrodite: so called from her cult center at Paphos.
2. (often lowercase) a prostitute.

Paphian

/ ˈpeɪfɪən /

adjective

1. of or relating to Paphos
2. of or relating to Aphrodite
3. literary.
   of sexual love

Word History and Origins

Origin of Paphian¹

1605–15; < Latin Paphi ( us ) (< Greek Páphios of Paphos, of Aphrodite) + -an

Example Sentences

Paphian; a reference to Paphos in Cyprus where Aphrodit first set foot after her birth from sea foam.

From Project Gutenberg

No Paphian girls were introduced; no practical jokes were played; the cook and the housemaid remained in the servants quarters.

From Project Gutenberg

Hence will it tend to dissensualise its nature into fantastic passions, the idolatry of Paphian priestesses.

From Project Gutenberg

Another resembles the Paphian myrtles; another the purple amethysts, or the white roses, or the Thracian crane.

From Project Gutenberg

He had seen this woman, white breasted like the foam, rising as the ancient goddess from the Paphian Sea.

From Project Gutenberg