Penelope

American  

[puh-nel-uh-pee] / pəˈnɛl ə pi /

noun

1. Classical Mythology. the wife of Odysseus, who remained faithful to him during his long absence at Troy.

2. a faithful wife.

3. a female given name: from a Greek word meaning “weaver.”

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Penelope British  

/ pəˈnɛləpɪ /

noun

1. Greek myth the wife of Odysseus, who remained true to him during his long absence despite the importunities of many suitors

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Penelope Cultural  

1. The wife of Odysseus in classical mythology. Penelope remained true to her husband for the ten years he spent fighting in the Trojan War (see also Trojan War) and for the ten years it took him to return from Troy, even though she was harassed by men who wanted to marry her. She promised to choose a suitor after she had finished weaving a shroud for her father-in-law, but every night she unraveled what she had woven during the day. After three years, her trick was discovered, but she still managed to put her suitors off until Odysseus returned and killed them.

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Discover More

Penelope is an image of fidelity and devotion.

Example Sentences

In nonfiction, I enjoyed Emily Hauser’s “Penelope’s Bones,” a riveting exploration, through recent archaeological discoveries, of how Bronze Age women of the Aegean actually lived.

From The Wall Street Journal

Penelope had not willingly left England; quite the contrary.

From Literature

Penelope had not yet learned more than a few words of the language, for the family spoke to her only in English.

From Literature

The old woman’s knuckles were so swollen with arthritis, Penelope wondered if she could even remove the large jeweled rings she wore on each finger, or whether she would have to be buried in them.

From Literature

Penelope won the first game, which gave her more pleasure than perhaps it should have.

From Literature