uraeus

American  

[yoo-ree-uhs] / yʊˈri əs /

noun

plural

uraeuses

1. the sacred asp as represented upon the headdress of divinities and royal personages of ancient Egypt, usually directly over the forehead, as an emblem of supreme power.

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uraeus British  

/ jʊˈriːəs /

noun

1. the sacred serpent represented on the headdresses of ancient Egyptian kings and gods

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Etymology

Origin of uraeus

1825–35; < New Latin < Late Greek ouraîos, perhaps based ultimately on Egyptian yʿrt cobra, altered by association with Greek ouraîos of the tail; uro- ²

Example Sentences

I will play thee three games, and stake the sacred circlet upon my brow, against the Royal uraeus on thine, and the winner shall wear both.'

From The World's Desire by Haggard, Henry Rider

The disk has an uraeus on each side.

From Legends of the Gods The Egyptian Texts, edited with Translations by Budge, E. A. Wallis (Ernest Alfred Wallis), Sir

He raised her up, gave her place by his side, clasped the uraeus upon her arm, kissed her, and Ne-ne-hofra was queen of all queens.

From Ben-Hur; a tale of the Christ by Wallace, Lewis

Without doubt it was the uraeus, that symbol which only the royalties of Old Egypt dared to wear.

From A Yellow God: an Idol of Africa by Haggard, Henry Rider

Where chrysanthemum and yashmak turban and tarboosh, uraeus and Indian plume had mingled gaily, no soul remained; but yet—he was in error ... someone did remain.

From Brood of the Witch-Queen by Rohmer, Sax