PEGASUS

Pegasus

(noun) a constellation in the northern hemisphere near Andromeda and Pisces

Pegasus

(noun) (Greek mythology) the immortal winged horse that sprang from the blood of the slain Medusa; was tamed by Bellerophon with the help of a bridle given him by Athena; as the flying horse of the Muses it is a symbol of highflying imagination

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

From the mythical Pegasus.

Noun

pegasus (plural pegasuses or pegasi)

A winged horse (imaginary or mythical, sometimes figurative).

Etymology

Proper noun

Pegasus

(Greek mythology) A winged horse fabled to have sprung from the blood of Medusa when she was slain. He is noted for causing, with a blow of his hoof, Hippocrene, the inspiring fountain of the Muses, to spring from Mount Helicon. Bellerophon tamed and rode upon Pegasus when he defeated the Chimaera.

(constellation) A constellation of the northern sky, near the vernal equinoctial point, representing the winged horse. Its three brightest stars, with the brightest star of Andromeda, form the asterism of the Great Square of Pegasus.

Meronyms

• (constellation): Algenib, Alkarab, Biham, Enif, Helvetios, Homam, Markab, Matar, Sadalbari, Salm, Scheat

Noun

Pegasus (plural Pegasi)

(historical) A coin of ancient Corinth, with a winged horse depicted on the obverse.

Source: Wiktionary


Peg"a*sus, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr.

1. (Gr. Myth.)

Definition: A winged horse fabled to have sprung from the body of Medusa when she was slain. He is noted for causing, with a blow of his hoof, Hippocrene, the inspiring fountain of the Muses, to spring from Mount Helicon. On this account he is, in modern times, associated with the Muses, and with ideas of poetic inspiration. Each spurs his jaded Pegasus apace. Byron.

2. (Astron.)

Definition: A northen constellation near the vernal equinoctial point. Its three brightest stars, with the brightest star of Andromeda, form the square of Pegasus.

3. (Zoöl.)

Definition: A genus of small fishes, having large pectoral fins, and the body covered with hard, bony plates. Several species are known from the East Indies and China.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

28 April 2024

POLYGENIC

(adjective) of or relating to an inheritable character that is controlled by several genes at once; of or related to or determined by polygenes


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