Paphian

Paphian
/pay"fee euhn/, adj.
1. of or pertaining to Paphos, an ancient city of Cyprus sacred to Aphrodite.
2. of or pertaining to love, esp. illicit sexual love; erotic; wanton.
3. noting or pertaining to Aphrodite or to her worship or service.
n.
4. the Paphian, Aphrodite: so called from her cult center at Paphos.
5. (often l.c.) a prostitute.
[1605-15; < L Paphi(us) ( < Gk Páphios of Paphos, of Aphrodite) + -AN]

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • Paphian — Pa phi*an, a. [L. Paphius, Gr. ?, from ? the city Paphos.] Of or pertaining to Paphos, an ancient city of Cyprus, having a celebrated temple of Venus; hence, pertaining to Venus, or her rites. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Paphian — Pa phi*an, n. A native or inhabitant of Paphos. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Paphian — index lascivious, salacious Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • Paphian — [pā′fē ən] adj. [< L Paphius + AN] 1. of Paphos 2. [in reference to the worship of Aphrodite in Paphos] of sexual love; erotic …   English World dictionary

  • Paphian — 1. adjective /ˈpeɪfɪən/ a) Pertaining to love or sexual desire, especially when illicit. I lay, as it were, in the Paphian bower of bliss, in a state of exquisite sensations quite impossible to describe. b) Of or relating to Paphos, the mythical… …   Wiktionary

  • paphian — I. ˈpāfēən adjective Usage: usually capitalized Etymology: Latin paphius Paphian (from Greek paphios, from Paphos, ancient city of Cyprus that was the center of worship of the Greek goddess of love Aphrodite) + English an 1. a …   Useful english dictionary

  • Paphian —    associated with prostitution    Paphos, or Cyprus, was sacred to Venus, the goddess of love:     Cyprians of the better sort... well acquainted with its Paphian intricacies. (Mayhew, 1862) …   How not to say what you mean: A dictionary of euphemisms

  • Paphian Bay Hotel Paphos (Paphos) — Paphian Bay Hotel Paphos country: Cyprus, city: Paphos (Beach) Paphian Bay Hotel Paphos Set on the outer Paphos, The Paphian Bay Hotel is an ideal for families and couples who are looking for a relaxing resort, where unsurpassed service is… …   International hotels

  • Paphian — I. noun Etymology: Latin paphius, from Greek paphios, from Paphos, ancient city of Cyprus that was the center of worship of Aphrodite Date: 1598 1. often not capitalized prostitute 2. a native or inhabitant of Paphos II. adjective Date …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • paphian — pa·phi·an …   English syllables

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