philomel

or phil·o·me·la

[ fil-uh-mel or fil-uh-mee-luh ]

/ ˈfɪl əˌmɛl or ˌfɪl əˈmi lə /

noun Literary.

the nightingale.

Nearby words

philography, philogyny, philol., philologian, philology, philomel, philomela, philomelides, philopena, philoprogenitive, philos.

Origin of philomel

1350–1400; earlier Philomele, Philomela (< Middle French philomèle) < Latin Philomēla < Greek Philómēla Philomela; replacing Middle English Philomene < Medieval Latin Philomēna, dissimilated variant of Philomēla

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

Examples from the Web for philomel

Two of the fire-ships were soon in flames, a third blew up, and a fourth was sunk by the Philomel.
How Britannia Came to Rule the Waves|W.H.G. Kingston
The commanders of the “Pluto” and “Philomel,” which came into the harbour, invited them on board.
Great African Travellers|W.H.G. Kingston
“Open to page—” still groping was Philomel Whiffet and squinting at the faded pages.
Blue Ridge Country|Jean Thomas
Mariequita thought that perhaps Philomel's mother might come for a few days, and money enough.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin

The Philomel had been lying off Cowes three days before Mr. Smithson appeared upon the scene.
Phantom Fortune, A Novel|M. E. Braddon

British Dictionary definitions for philomel

philomel

philomela (ˌfɪləʊˈmiːlə)

/ (ˈfɪləˌmɛl) /

noun

poetic names for a nightingale

Word Origin for philomel

C14 philomene, via Medieval Latin from Latin philomēla, from Greek

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