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Glite Dictionary
Silenus

Silenus

1 9.9
A jolly old companion of the wine god often shown drunk and riding a donkey
  • proper noun
  • Literature
: Silenus
  • He appears in the background of the Descent of the Holy Spirit now in Potsdam and is holding up the arm of a drunken Silenus in Dresden.
  • Silenus, the mythological figure
  • characteristics of Silenus

Examples

  • Silenus, depicted as a lively satyr, entertained the guests with his tales of Dionysus's adventures.

  • A moment later, Silenus vanished.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • "Silenus nodded, waved his hand, and the three brothers vanished."

    Fiction book (1991)

  • "Silenus," Azzie said.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • The reverse, with Silenus and a very impressively realistic musculature, is equally impressive.

  • The old, joyful Silenus rode his donkey through the festive streets, singing songs of Bacchus.

  • As the feast continued, Silenus delighted everyone with his laughter and the stories of his journeys.

Surface Forms

Silenus main

Etymology

Silenus comes from Greek myth and names the chief satyr who travels with the wine god Bacchus; he is shown as an old, jolly, often 'drunken' companion and sometimes the 'father' of Dionysus. So, Silenus brings to mind a merry, drunken but wise friend in ancient stories.