uraeus

American  

[yoo-ree-uhs] / jʊˈri əs /

noun

• uraeuses
  plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• uraeuses
  plural

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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; see uro- ²

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

uraeus

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 Sax Rohmer

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 Henry Rider Haggard

The respective legs of this table were indicated by differently shaped uraei outlined on the floor, the head of each being extended in the direction of the similar uraeus twined round the leg.

From The Jewel of Seven Stars by Bram Stoker

The disk has an uraeus on each side.

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

The human-headed uraeus is seldom bearded; and the best example of such a monster is on an Ethiopian temple, where a great uraeus has human arms and a lion's head.

From Egyptian Tales, Translated from the Papyri First series, IVth to XIIth dynasty by Sir W. M. Flinders (William Matthew Flinders) Petrie

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