Pythian

[pith-ee-uh n]

adjective

Also Pyth·ic. of or relating to Delphi, in ancient Greece.

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

noun

a Pythian priestess.

Origin of Pythian

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

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

Examples from the Web for pythian

Historical Examples of pythian

Priests and priestesses may also follow, unless the Pythian oracle forbids.
Laws
Plato
A copy of the Pythian Apollo by Scopas is in the same museum.
Museum of Antiquity
L. W. Yaggy
Why, the Pythian priestess on the tripod is not moved so much as this!
Plutarch's Morals
Plutarch
The Pythian recommended an alliance with their nearest neighbours.
Athens: Its Rise and Fall, Complete
Edward Bulwer-Lytton
Milo the invincible, victor at Pisa, and in the Pythian and Isthmian combats.
An Egyptian Princess, Complete
Georg Ebers

British Dictionary definitions for pythian

Pythian

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

Word Origin and History for pythian

Pythian

adj.

c.1600, "pertaining to Delphi or Delphic Apollo," from Pythia + -an. As a noun from 1590s.