philomel

American

[fil-uh-mel] / ˈfɪl əˌmɛl /

Also philomela

noun

Literary.

the nightingale.

philomel British

/ ˌfɪləʊˈmiːlə, ˈfɪləˌmɛl /

noun

poetic names for a nightingale

"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

Etymology

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

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.

Well, it is my honest opinion that philomel will not compare with the singer of the South in sweetness, versatility, passion, or lyrical beauty.

From Select Poems of Sidney Lanier by Callaway, Morgan

Then listen to the lamentations of this inspired and afflicted prophet: they are full of deepest pathos, and uttered in notes sweet as the warblings of philomel.

From The Ceremonies of the Holy-Week at Rome by Baggs, Charles Michael

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