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Cupid

Cupid

9 5.6
A picture or small statue that people use to show love, often a winged child with a bow
  • noun
  • /ˈkjuːpɪd/
  • NSFW
: Cupido
  • During the Valentine's Day celebration, images of Cupid can be seen everywhere, symbolizing romance and affection.
  • cupid's bow
  • Cupid's arrow
  • winged Cupids

Examples

  • Pink-bottomed cupids whispering in the bosom of a burning red geranium, or a thicket of yellow dandelions.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • You're a proper little cupid, aren't you?

  • A flying baby named cupid.

  • "And therefore is winged cupid painted blind."

  • Yet Mark'd I where the bolt of cupid fell:

  • A few days ago, he gave her the number on a piece of notebook paper, with little hearts and cupids drawn on the corners of the page.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • This charming cupid asleep on a dolphin, dates from about 1766, and it's by Joseph Nollekins.

  • Cupids perched on ornate bookcases extend their arms in libidinal welcome.

    Academic text (1998)
  • In many art pieces, Cupid is depicted as a young boy with wings, holding a bow and arrow to represent love.

  • In Roman mythology, Cupid is often portrayed as the mischievous god of love who strikes people's hearts with his arrows.

Synonyms

Eros
vsCupid
  • Literature
7 8.3

A Greek god of love shown as a young winged man with a bow and arrows

is the Roman version rather than the Greek origin
Amor
vsCupid
  • Literature
1 8.2

A Roman god who makes people fall in love

has identical meaning but is the common English name and symbol of love

Surface Forms

Cupid singular
Cupids plural

Etymology

Cupid as the little winged boy comes from Latin cupīdō meaning 'desire', so he is a symbol of the feeling that makes people fall in love and appears on Valentine’s cards and in art.