Skip to main content
kylix

kylix

9.9
A shallow cup with two handles used in ancient Greece for wine
  • noun
  • /ˈkaɪlɪks/
  • Specialized
translation icon : cálice
  • In it, Plato describes the cup as a kylix (117b), which has a foot and handles.

Examples

  • The Met returned this kylix, or drinking cup, soon after the museum reached its agreement with Italy.

    Academic text (2007)
  • In exchange, the Italians lent the museum another Laconian kylix in November 2006.

    Academic text (2007)
  • An attic drinking cup called a "kylix" is proudly signed "HERMAIOSEPOIESEN."

    Blog text (24)
  • Laconian black-figured kylix, 6th century B.C.

    Academic text (2007)
  • The ancient Greeks often drank wine from a kylix, a shallow cup with two handles.

  • At the museum, I saw a beautifully decorated kylix that dated back to the 5th century B.C.

  • During the celebration, the host poured wine into each kylix to toast to their guests.

Synonyms

skol
vskylix
  • Literature
1 9.9

A shallow bowl used for drinking alcohol in Scandinavian ceremonies

is a shallow two-handled cup, not a bowl, used in ancient Greece
cylix
vskylix
  • Specialized
9.9

A shallow cup with two handles for drinking wine in ancient Greece

is identical in meaning but uses a different spelling
scyphus
vskylix
  • Archaic
9.9

An ancient Greek cup with two handles and a small base for drinking

is the same type but lacks a raised footed base
quaich
vskylix
  • UK
9.9

A shallow two-handled cup from Scotland used for sharing drinks

is the ancient Greek drinking cup, not the Scottish sharing vessel

Surface Forms

kylix singular
kylixes plural

Etymology

Kylix comes from the ancient Greek word κύλιξ, which meant 'cup'. These were shallow, two-handled wine cups used at Greek feasts, so today kylix is the word for that specific kind of drinking cup.