pyrrhic

[ pir-ik ]

/ ˈpɪr ɪk /

Prosody

adjective

consisting of two short or unaccented syllables.

composed of or pertaining to pyrrhics.

noun

Also called dibrach. a pyrrhic foot.

Nearby words

pyrotraumatic dermatitis, pyroxene, pyroxenite, pyroxylin, pyrrha, pyrrhic, pyrrhic victory, pyrrho, pyrrhonism, pyrrhotite, pyrrhuloxia

Origin of pyrrhic

1620–30; < Latin pyrrhichius < Greek pyrrhíchios pertaining to the pyrrhíchē pyrrhic²

Definition for pyrrhic (2 of 3)

pyrrhic

[ 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

1590–1600; < Latin pyrrhicha < Greek pyrrhíchē a dance; said to be named after Pyrrhichus, the inventor

Definition for pyrrhic (3 of 3)

Pyrrhic

[ pir-ik ]

/ ˈpɪr ɪk /

adjective

of, relating to, or resembling Pyrrhus, king of Epirus, or his costly victory.

Origin of Pyrrhic

First recorded in 1880–85; Pyrrh(us) + -ic

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

Examples from the Web for pyrrhic

It's a pyrrhic symbolic victory that could actually be causing extra environmental damage.
The Quixotic Crusade Against the Keystone Pipeline|Megan McArdle|March 1, 2013|DAILY BEAST
This will be a war of attrition and a Pyrrhic and Camdean Victory for myself.
Rogue L.A. Cop’s Facebook Manifesto: ‘You Will Now Live the Life of Prey’|The Daily Beast|February 8, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Legislators are no longer thinking ahead even as far as the next election; all their focus is on the next Pyrrhic victory.
Washington Goes Platinum|Megan McArdle|January 8, 2013|DAILY BEAST
But Howard Kurtz says it could prove a pyrrhic victory that could threaten his second-term agenda.
Obama Fiscal Cliff Victory Could Invite Years of Warfare With the GOP|Howard Kurtz|January 2, 2013|DAILY BEAST

However, if that is all that isaccomplished, it will be a Pyrrhic victory.
Be Careful What You Wish For In Syria|Theodore Kattouf|December 7, 2012|DAILY BEAST
But Methuen's first engagements seemed to him to be Pyrrhic victories.
Lord Milner's Work in South Africa|W. Basil Worsfold
She had won, but a succession of such victories—a perpetual need of such victories—would be Pyrrhic in its effect on her nerves.
Mrs. Maxon Protests|Anthony Hope
Here the measure and melody are perfect; the period closing with three Iambics, preceded by a Pyrrhic.
Dissertation on the English Language|Noah Webster, Jr.
The Pyrrhic dance, performed by several men in armor, imitated the movements of attack and defence.
Museum of Antiquity|L. W. Yaggy
The Pyrrhic, which has both the words or syllables unaccented: as, n th tree-top.
The Comic English Grammar|Unknown

British Dictionary definitions for pyrrhic (1 of 2)

pyrrhic

/ (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)

pyrrhic

/ (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 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012