Patroclus

American

[puh-troh-kluhs] / pəˈtroʊ kləs /

noun

Classical Mythology. a friend of Achilles, who was slain by Hector at Troy.

Patroclus British

/ pəˈtrɒkləs /

noun

Greek myth a friend of Achilles, killed in the Trojan War by Hector. His death made Achilles return to the fight after his quarrel with Agamemnon

"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

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.

And “Achilles & Patroclus,” composed by Erika Meyer with a libretto by James Theodore Washburn, takes place in Troy as Achilles remembers his life with Patroclus following Patroclus’ death.

From Seattle Times • May 31, 2023

The legend of Achilles retold from the point of view of his friend Patroclus.

From Washington Post • Mar. 8, 2022

The final flyby, of Patroclus and Menoetius, won’t happen until 2033.

From Scientific American • Oct. 19, 2021

Then in 2033, Lucy will make its way to the swarm ahead of Jupiter, meeting up with two Trojans that orbit around one another, Patroclus and Menoetius.

From The Verge • Oct. 15, 2021

Odysseus and the two chieftains chosen to accompany him found the hero with his friend Patroclus, who of all men on earth was dearest to him.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023