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Pythian

[pith-ee-uh n]
adjective
  1. Also Pyth·ic. of or relating to Delphi, in ancient Greece.
  2. of or relating to Apollo, with reference to his oracle at Delphi.
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noun
  1. a Pythian priestess.
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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. 2018

Examples from the Web for pythian

Historical Examples

  • 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.

  • Why, the Pythian priestess on the tripod is not moved so much as this!

  • The Pythian recommended an alliance with their nearest neighbours.

  • Milo the invincible, victor at Pisa, and in the Pythian and Isthmian combats.

British Dictionary definitions for pythian

Pythian

adjective Also: Pythic
  1. of or relating to Delphi or its oracle
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noun
  1. the priestess of Apollo at the oracle of Delphi
  2. an inhabitant of ancient Delphi
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Word Origin

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.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper