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Glite Dictionary
Pythoness

Pythoness

1 9.9
A priestess of Apollo at Delphi who gives messages about the future
  • noun
  • /ˈpaɪθənəs/
  • Archaic
translation icon : pitonisa
  • The pythoness uttered words of wisdom that were believed to be inspired by Apollo himself.

Examples

  • And you, little pythoness, your way should be easy now.

    Fiction book (1995)

  • Only a pythoness may wear it.

    Fiction book (1995)

  • I was wrong even to tell you I was the pythoness.

    Fiction book (1995)

  • The pythoness showed me more mercy than I deserve.

    Fiction book (1995)

  • I do believe our admirable pythoness has a bit of a soft spot for you.

    Fiction book (1995)

  • The pythoness bowed her head and folded her arms.

    Fiction book (1995)

  • "The voice of the pythoness filled the grotto and thundered in the king's ears.

    Fiction book (1995)

  • She is a pythoness.

    Fiction book (1995)

  • In ancient Greece, the pythoness at Delphi was renowned for her ability to deliver prophecies.

  • The priest consulted the pythoness, seeking guidance from the gods through her visions.

Synonyms

Pythia
vsPythoness
  • Literature
1 9.9

A priestess at Delphi who speaks messages from the god Apollo

is the same role expressed with a different traditional name
python
vsPythoness
  • Archaic
1 9.9

In old times, a person thought to speak for a spirit and tell the future

is an officially serving temple woman inspired by Apollo not a spirit
Delphic oracle
vsPythoness
  • Literature
9.9

A woman at Delphi in ancient Greece who gives mysterious advice from the god Apollo to people who ask

is the individual who delivered those prophecies rather than the site

Surface Forms

Pythoness singular
Pythonesses plural

Morphology

Pythoness = python (opaque) = python + ess

Although formed from 'python' + the feminine suffix '-ess', the meaning 'priestess of Apollo at Delphi' is not a literal 'female snake' and therefore cannot be reliably inferred by learners.

Etymology

Pythoness comes from Python, the name of a 'snake' in Greek myth that lived near Delphi, the place of Apollo's temple. The ending -ess is like in actress and marks a 'female' person, so Pythoness means the woman priest who spoke Apollo's messages.