Peloponnesus

[ pel-uh-puh-nee-suh s ]

/ ˌpɛl ə pəˈni səs /

noun

a peninsula forming the S part of Greece: seat of the early Mycenaean civilization and the powerful city-states of Argos, Sparta, etc. 8356 sq. mi. (21,640 sq. km).

Also Pel·o·pon·nese

[pel-uh-puh-neez, -nees] /ˌpɛl ə pəˈniz, -ˈnis/, Pel·o·pon·ne·sos

[pel-uh-puh-nee-sos, -sohs, -suh s] /ˌpɛl ə pəˈni sɒs, -soʊs, -səs/.

Origin of Peloponnesus

< Latin < Greek Pelopónnēsos (representing phrase Pélopos nêsos literally, island of Pelops with sn > nn)

Also called Morea.

Related formsPel·o·pon·ne·sian

[pel-uh-puh-nee-zhuh n, -shuh n] /ˌpɛl ə pəˈni ʒən, -ʃən/, adjective, noun

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

Examples from the Web for peloponnesus

Acarnania marks the line of country, which formed the ordinary route from Thessaly to Peloponnesus.
Studies on Homer and the Homeric Age, Vol. 1 of 3|W. E. Gladstone
Pausanias mentions an Omphalus in the Peloponnesus, which was said to have been the middle of that country.
A New System; or, an Analysis of Antient Mythology. Volume I.|Jacob Bryant
This importation corresponds perhaps with the Dorian invasion of the Peloponnesus.
The Races of Man|Joseph Deniker
Marcellus crossed over from Delphi, and the Ætolian council, into Peloponnesus, where lie had summoned a diet of the Achæans.
The History of Rome, Books 37 to the End|Titus Livius

Geographically it would appear likely to be in the Peloponnesus.
Studies on Homer and the Homeric Age, Vol. 1 of 3|W. E. Gladstone

Word Origin and History for peloponnesus

Peloponnesus

peninsula of southern Greece, late 15c., from Latin, from Greek Peloponnesos, second element apparently nesos "island" (see Chersonese); first element said to be named for Pelops, son of Tantalus, who killed him and served him to the gods as food (they later restored him to life). The proper name is probably from pellos "dark" + ops "face, eye." But the association with the peninsula name likely is folk etymology. Related: Peloponnesian.