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• Phaëthon
  Phaëthon

  noun

  a son of Helios who borrowed the chariot of the sun and drove it so close to earth that Zeus struck him down to save the world.
• Phaethon
  Phaethon

  noun

  an asteroid (6.9 km in diameter) that has an orbit approaching close to the sun and releases fragments of dust that enter the earth's atmosphere as meteors

Phaëthon

American  

[fay-uh-thuhn, -thon] / ˈfeɪ ə θən, -ˌθɒn /

noun

Classical Mythology.

1. a son of Helios who borrowed the chariot of the sun and drove it so close to earth that Zeus struck him down to save the world.

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Phaethon ¹ British  

/ ˈfeɪəθən /

noun

1. an asteroid (6.9 km in diameter) that has an orbit approaching close to the sun and releases fragments of dust that enter the earth's atmosphere as meteors

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Phaëthon ² British  

/ ˈfeɪəθən /

noun

1. Greek myth the son of Helios (the sun god) who borrowed his father's chariot and nearly set the earth on fire by approaching too close to it. Zeus averted the catastrophe by striking him down with a thunderbolt

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Etymology

Origin of Phaëthon

< Greek Phaéthōn, special use of present participle of phaéthein to shine

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Phaëthon Phaethon

For a few ecstatic moments Phaëthon felt himself the Lord of the Sky.

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

In the car Phaëthon, hardly keeping his place there, was wrapped in thick smoke and heat as if from a fiery furnace.

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

No doubt Phaëthon had often watched the Sun riding through the heavens and had told himself with a feeling, half awe, half excitement, “It is my father up there.”

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

Here Phaëthon lies who drove the Sun-god’s car.

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

Proudly and joyously Phaëthon mounted it and they were off.

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

During close passes near the Sun, Phaethon released large amounts of dust and debris.

From Science Daily ● May 14, 2026

The debris causing the Geminids, an annual event, originated from an asteroid known as 3200 Phaethon, according to NASA.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 17, 2024

Meteor showers are typically caused by a comet, but the Geminids are celestial debris left behind by a rocky asteroid known as 3200 Phaethon.

From BBC ● Dec. 12, 2023

Most meteor showers result from fragments shed by comets, but an asteroid known as 3200 Phaethon is responsible for the gems of the Geminids.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 12, 2023

The Apartments are large and well laid out, and the Cielings exceeding fine, particularly those of the great Stair-case and Salon, wherein the Story of Phaethon is represented in a wonderful Manner.

From The Memoirs of Charles-Lewis, Baron de Pollnitz, Volume II Being the Observations He Made in His Late Travels From Prussia thro' Germany, Italy, France, Flanders, Holland, England, &C. in Letters to His Friend. Discovering Not Only the Present State of the Chief Cities and Towns; but the Characters of the Principal Persons at the Several Courts. by Karl Ludwig von P?llnitz

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