PYTHONESS Meaning and
Definition
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Pythoness is a noun used to describe a female prophetess or oracle in ancient Greece or Rome who was believed to be possessed by the spirit of Apollo, the Greek god of prophecy. This term originates from the Greek word "Pythia," which refers to a priestess in the Temple of Apollo at Delphi, Greece, where the most famous oracle operated.
A pythoness was considered a conduit between the mortal realm and the divine, acting as an intermediary to deliver prophecies and messages from the gods. These women were believed to be chosen by Apollo himself, enabling them to enter a trance-like state to receive revelations and provide guidance to seekers of knowledge or advice.
The pythoness would typically undergo rituals, purification, and ingest hallucinogenic substances to induce a state of ecstasy or altered consciousness. When in this state, she would deliver her prophecies in riddles or cryptic form, often through unintelligible speech, which would then be interpreted and deciphered by priests or religious authorities.
The pythoness's role was highly respected and sought after due to her alleged connection to the divine. Her prophecies were considered sacred and influential in making major political, economic, or personal decisions. For this reason, pythonesses were consulted by kings, generals, and ordinary individuals for insights into future events or to gain divine approval for particular actions.
In modern usage, the term "pythoness" can also refer to a woman who possesses extraordinary or inexplicable powers of foresight or intuition.
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The priestess of Apollo at his temple at Delphi, in anc. Greece, who gave oracular answers; any woman supposed to have a spirit of divination.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for PYTHONESS
- oythoness
- lythoness
- -ythoness
- 0ythoness
- ptthoness
- pgthoness
- phthoness
- puthoness
- p7thoness
- p6thoness
- pyrhoness
- pyfhoness
- pyghoness
- pyyhoness
- py6honess
- py5honess
- pytgoness
- pytboness
- pytnoness
- tythoness
Etymology of PYTHONESS
The word "pythoness" is derived from the Latin word "pythonissa", which in turn was borrowed from the Greek word "Pythōnissai". The Greek term refers to the priestess of Apollo at Delphi, known as the Pythia, who was believed to possess prophetic powers and communicate with Apollo. "Pythōnissai" is a combination of "Pythō", referring to the area around Delphi, and "-issai", a feminine form suffix in Greek. Over time, "pythoness" came to be used more broadly to describe a female prophetess or a woman believed to possess supernatural powers of divination.
Similar spelling word for PYTHONESS
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