Orphic, pronounced OR-fik, is an adjective meaning related to the mythological Orpheus, mystical, or entrancing. Its meanings derive from Orpheus's legendary musical abilities and his association with oracles.
Orphic (OR-fik) is an adjective with several meanings: related to Orpheus or his rites, oracular or mystic, and fascinating or entrancing. The meanings stem from the Greek mythological figure Orpheus, known for his music and oracles.
| Front | orphic \OR-fik\ |
|---|---|
| Back | adjective 1. Capitalized; of or relating to Orpheus or the rites or doctrines ascribed to him. 2. Of, relating to, being, or resembling an oracle; oracular, mystic. 3. Fascinating, entrancing. [Orpheus was a hero of Greek mythology who was supposed to possess superhuman musical skills. With his legendary lyre, he was said to be able to make even the rocks and trees dance around. In fact, when his wife Eurydice died, he was nearly able to use his lyre to secure her return from the underworld. Later on, according to legend, he was killed at the bidding of Dionysus, and an oracle of Orpheus was established that came to rival the oracle of Apollo at Delphi. Because of the oracle of Orpheus, "orphic" can mean "oracular." Because of Orpheus' musical powers, "orphic" can mean "entrancing."] "'No summer ever came back, and no two summers ever were alike,' said I, with a degree of Orphic wisdom that astonished myself." — From Nathaniel Hawthorne's 1852 novel The Blithedale Romance |
Learn with these flashcards. Click next, previous, or up to navigate to more flashcards for this subject.
Next card: Noun emoluments latin verb grinding ih-mahl-yuh-munt returns arising
Previous card: Incommodious in-kuh-moh-dee-uhs adjective inconvenient uncomfortable latin commodus convenient
Up to card list: Hard English Vocabulary