LAELAPS Meaning and
Definition
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Laelaps is a mythical creature depicted in Greek mythology. According to the legend, Laelaps was a divine dog, gifted with incredible speed and tracking abilities. In Greek, the word "Laelaps" translates to "hurricane" or "whirlwind," which suits the dog's swift and relentless nature.
Laelaps was said to have been created by the gods and was owned by Europa, a Phoenician princess. This extraordinary hound had the remarkable ability to catch anything it pursued, making it an unstoppable predator. No creature or prey could escape its unyielding pursuit. It was also said that Laelaps' speed was so incredible that it could even outrun the wind itself.
A famous myth involving Laelaps revolves around a never-ending chase between the dog and a fox. In this story, Zeus, the king of the gods, became conflicted when both animals became immortal. As a result, he was trapped in an impossible paradox where the dog could never catch the fox, yet the fox could never escape its pursuer. This endless pursuit personified the clash between inevitability and futility.
The name "Laelaps" has become a symbol of ardent pursuit, often associated with the idea of relentless or unstoppable progress. It has also been used metaphorically in various contexts to describe an intense and determined hunt, denoting a dogged and unyielding pursuit of a goal or objective.
Common Misspellings for LAELAPS
Etymology of LAELAPS
The word "Laelaps" originates from Greek mythology. It is derived from the Greek word "lailaps" (λαίλαψ), which means "whirlwind" or "tempest". In Greek mythology, Laelaps was the name of a mythical dog that was said to be extremely fast and always successful in capturing its prey. Laelaps was eventually placed among the constellations by Zeus, where it became the constellation Canis Major ("the Big Dog"). The name "Laelaps" has since been used to refer to swift or relentless pursuers in various contexts.
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