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phoebe

[fee-bee]
|

noun

any of several small American flycatchers of the genus Sayornis, especially S. phoebe, of eastern North America.

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Origin of phoebe

1690–1700, Americanism; imitative; spelling by influence of Phoebe

Phoebe

[fee-bee]

noun

Classical Mythology. a Titan, daughter of Uranus and Gaea and mother of Leto, later identified with Artemis and with the Roman goddess Diana.
Astronomy. one of the moons of Saturn.
Literary. the moon personified.
a female given name.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for phoebe

Contemporary Examples of phoebe

Historical Examples of phoebe

  • Phoebe's tears at parting made Staines feel uncomfortable, and he said so.

    A Simpleton

    Charles Reade

  • How many times must I tell you to put a clean dress on Phoebe every day?

    What's-His-Name

    George Barr McCutcheon

  • Phoebe looked at her for a moment longer rather wistfully, and turned away.

    Good Indian

    B. M. Bower

  • “Well, I would rather have a character for something better,” said Phoebe.

    The Maidens' Lodge

    Emily Sarah Holt

  • We never had but one,” said Phoebe, the quiver coming again into her voice, “and—it died.

    The Maidens' Lodge

    Emily Sarah Holt

British Dictionary definitions for phoebe

phoebe

noun

any of several greyish-brown North American flycatchers of the genus Sayornis, such as S. phoebe (eastern phoebe)

Word Origin for phoebe

C19: imitative of the bird's call

Phoebe

1

Phebe

noun

classical myth a Titaness, who later became identified with Artemis (Diana) as goddess of the moon
poetic a personification of the moon

Phoebe

2

noun

the outermost satellite of the planet Saturn. It has retrograde motion and a dark surface
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
Word Origin and History for phoebe
n.

small North American flycatcher, pewit, 1700, phebe, so called in imitation of its cry; spelling altered (1839) by influence of the woman's proper name Phoebe.

Phoebe

fem. proper name, late 14c., originally a name of Artemis as the goddess of the moon, from Latin Phoebe, from Greek phoibos "bright, pure," of unknown origin. The fem. form of Phoebus, an epithet of Apollo as sun-god.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper