Semele

[ sem-uh-lee ]

/ ˈsɛm əˌli /

noun Classical Mythology.

a daughter of Cadmus and mother, by Zeus, of Dionysus.

Compare Thyone.

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

Examples from the Web for semele

According to Preller, Semele is a personification of the fertile soil in spring, which brings forth the productive vine.
The Classic Myths in English Literature and in Art (2nd ed.) (1911)|Charles Mills Gayley
Bacchus brings his mother Semele from the Underworld to Olympus.
An Introduction to Mythology|Lewis Spence
The girls followed Kit into the library, as she went on a hunt after Semele, and here Amy faced her accusingly.
Kit of Greenacre Farm|Izola Forrester
He had several children; among whom was a daughter Semele, esteemed the mother of Bacchus.
A New System; or, an Analysis of Antient Mythology. Volume II. (of VI.)|Jacob Bryant

His mother, Semele, desired to see Zeus in all his glory, as he appeared when he made love to Hera.
Myth, Ritual And Religion, Vol. 2 (of 2)|Andrew Lang

British Dictionary definitions for semele

Semele

/ (ˈsɛmɪlɪ) /

noun

Greek myth mother of Dionysus by Zeus

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 semele

Semele

daughter of Cadmus and mother of Dionysus, from Latin, from Greek Semele, a Thraco-Phrygian earth goddess, from Phrygian Zemele "mother of the earth," probably cognate with Old Church Slavonic zemlja "earth," Latin humus "earth, ground, soil" (see chthonic).