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pyrrhic
1[ pir-ik ]
/ ˈpɪr ɪk /
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adjective
consisting of two short or unaccented syllables.
composed of or pertaining to pyrrhics.
noun
Also called dibrach. a pyrrhic foot.
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Origin of pyrrhic
1Words nearby pyrrhic
Other definitions for pyrrhic (2 of 3)
pyrrhic2
[ pir-ik ]
/ ˈpɪr ɪk /
noun
an ancient Greek warlike dance in which the motions of actual warfare were imitated.
adjective
of, relating to, or denoting this dance.
Origin of pyrrhic
21590–1600; <Latin pyrrhicha<Greek pyrrhÃchÄ“ a dance; said to be named after Pyrrhichus, the inventor
Other definitions for pyrrhic (3 of 3)
Pyrrhic
[ pir-ik ]
/ ˈpɪr ɪk /
adjective
of, relating to, or resembling Pyrrhus, king of Epirus, or his costly victory.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use pyrrhic in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for pyrrhic (1 of 2)
pyrrhic1
/ (ˈpɪrɪk) prosody /
noun
a metrical foot of two short or unstressed syllables
adjective
of or relating to such a metrical foot
(of poetry) composed in pyrrhics
Word Origin for pyrrhic
C16: via Latin, from Greek purrhikhē, traditionally said to be named after its inventor Purrhikhos
British Dictionary definitions for pyrrhic (2 of 2)
pyrrhic2
/ (ˈpɪrɪk) /
noun
a war dance of ancient Greece
adjective
of or relating to this dance
Word Origin for pyrrhic
C17: Latin from Greek purrhikhios belonging to the purrhikhē war dance performed in armour; see pyrrhic 1
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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