pythoness
Americannoun
-
a woman believed to be possessed by a soothsaying spirit, as the priestess of Apollo at Delphi.
-
a woman who practices divination.
noun
-
a woman, such as Apollo's priestess at Delphi, believed to be possessed by an oracular spirit
-
a female soothsayer
Gender
See -ess.
Etymology
Origin of pythoness
1325–75; python 2 + -ess; replacing Middle English phytonesse < Middle French
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The pythoness, seated on her tripod, rises slowly from it.
From Back to Methuselah by Shaw, Bernard
"Humph!" thought I to myself; "where is the grand indignant pythoness, with the unspeakable wrath and menace in her countenance, whom I saw when I first entered the room?"
From The Leavenworth Case by Green, Anna Katharine
And the young lady, after smilingly chiding her for her simple proceeding, taught her to smile also at the ill words of the pythoness.
From Trevethlan: (Vol 2 of 3) A Cornish Story. by Watson, William Davy
"Well, then," said Dorothy resignedly, drawing the golden head of the pythoness down until the small, pink ear was level with her lips, "if you must know, let me whisper."
From The President A novel by Lewis, Alfred Henry
The pythoness, or priestess of Apollo, at his approach, hailed him as king of Corinth.
From Historic Tales, vol 10 (of 15) The Romance of Reality by Morris, Charles
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
