Pythian

[ pith-ee-uhn ]

/ ˈpɪθ i ən /

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adjective

Also Pythic. of or relating to Delphi, in ancient Greece.

of or relating to Apollo, with reference to his oracle at Delphi.

noun

a Pythian priestess.

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Origin of Pythian

1590–1600; <Latin Pȳthi(us) (<Greek Pȳ́thios of Delphi and the oracle) + -an

Words nearby Pythian

Pythagorean scale, Pythagorean theorem, Pytheas, Pythia, Pythiad, Pythian, Pythian Games, Pythias, pythogenic, python, Pythonesque

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use Pythian in a sentence

A noble sisterly affection is in Wilhelmina; shrill Pythian vehemence trying the impossible.
History of Friedrich II. of Prussia, Vol. XVIII. (of XXI.)|Thomas Carlyle
As the time for the Pythian games had now come round, Demetrius took upon himself to make a most startling innovation.
Plutarch's Lives, Volume IV|Aubrey Stewart
Her physicians at last warned her that her health required her to use the Pythian warm baths.
Curiosities of Christian History|Croake James
From time to time he frowned and stared at the ceiling, moving his lips in silent speech like a priest of the Pythian oracle.
Quintus Claudius, Volume 1 of 2|Ernst Eckstein

And lastly there was an order issued to all the Thessalians to be ready for a campaign at the date of the Pythian games.
Hellenica|Xenophon

British Dictionary definitions for Pythian

Pythian

/ (ˈpɪθɪən) /

adjective Also: Pythic

of or relating to Delphi or its oracle

noun

the priestess of Apollo at the oracle of Delphi

an inhabitant of ancient Delphi

Word Origin for Pythian

C16: via Latin Pӯthius from Greek Puthios of Delphi

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