Definitions for Orpheus
ˈɔr fi əs, -fyusor·pheus

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:2.0 / 1 vote

1. Orpheusnoun

   (Greek mythology) a great musician; when his wife Eurydice died he went to Hades to get her back but failed

WiktionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Orpheusnoun

   A Thracian musician and poet, who failed to retrieve his wife Eurydice from Hades.

2. Orpheusnoun

   A male given name from Ancient Greek.

3. Etymology: Greek Ὀρφεύς, built from an uncertain root with the -εύς suffix. Perhaps root-cognate to ὀρφανός "orphan".

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Orpheus

   Orpheus (; Ancient Greek: Ὀρφεύς, classical pronunciation: [or.pʰeú̯s]; French: Orphée) in Greek mythology was a Thracian bard, legendary musician and prophet. He was also a renowned poet and, according to the legend, travelled with Jason and the Argonauts in search of the Golden Fleece, and even descended into the underworld of Hades, to recover his lost wife Eurydice.Ancient Greek authors such as Strabo and Plutarch note Orpheus's Thracian origins. The major stories about him are centered on his ability to charm all living things and even stones with his music (the usual scene in Orpheus mosaics), his attempt to retrieve his wife Eurydice from the underworld, and his death at the hands of the maenads of Dionysus, who tired of his mourning for his late wife Eurydice. As an archetype of the inspired singer, Orpheus is one of the most significant figures in the reception of classical mythology in Western culture, portrayed or alluded to in countless forms of art and popular culture including poetry, film, opera, music, and painting.For the Greeks, Orpheus was a founder and prophet of the so-called "Orphic" mysteries. He was credited with the composition of the Orphic Hymns and the Orphic Argonautica. Shrines containing purported relics of Orpheus were regarded as oracles.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. orpheus

   Orpheus is a legendary musician, poet, and prophet in ancient Greek mythology. He is said to have the ability to charm all living creatures and even stones with his music. His most famous myth involves his wife Eurydice; after her death, Orpheus attempts to bring her back from the underworld, but fails because he disobeys the gods' strictures. This story illustrates the power of music and love, as well as the consequences of disobedience.

WikidataRate this definition:2.0 / 1 vote

1. Orpheus

   Orpheus was a legendary musician, poet, and prophet in ancient Greek religion and myth. The major stories about him are centered on his ability to charm all living things and even stones with his music, his attempt to retrieve his wife, Eurydice, from the underworld, and his death at the hands of those who could not hear his divine music. As an archetype of the inspired singer, Orpheus is one of the most significant figures in the reception of classical mythology in Western culture, portrayed or alluded to in countless forms of art and popular culture including poetry, opera, and painting. For the Greeks, Orpheus was a founder and prophet of the so-called "Orphic" mysteries. He was credited with the composition of the Orphic Hymns, a collection of which survives. Shrines containing purported relics of Orpheus were regarded as oracles. Some ancient Greek sources note Orpheus' Thracian origins.

The Nuttall EncyclopediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Orpheus

   in the Greek mythology son of Apollo and the Muse Calliopë, famed for his skill on the lyre, from which the strains were such as not only calmed and swayed the rude soul of nature, but persuaded even the inexorable Pluto to relent; for one day when his wife Eurydice was taken away from him, he descended with his lyre to the lower world and prevailed on the nether king by the spell he wielded to allow her to accompany him back, but on the condition that he must not, as she followed him, turn round and look; this condition he failed to fulfil, and he lost her again, but this time for ever; whereupon, as the story goes, he gave himself up to unappeasable lamentings, which attracted round him a crowd of upbraiding Mænades, who in their indignation took up stones to stone him and mangled him to death, only his lyre as it floated down the river seaward kept sounding "Eurydice! Eurydice!" till it was caught up by Zeus and placed in memorial of him among the stars of the sky.

Editors ContributionRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. orpheusnoun

   Orpheus is a musician an optician and a medical student who believe so much on sense and real mysterical faith of healing of god's, myths, orden and God.

   Eric Marvinson agwulonu,

   Etymology: Sense real faith mystery and believe

   
   

   Submitted by anonymous on July 25, 2022  

Suggested ResourcesRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. orpheus

   Song lyrics by orpheus -- Explore a large variety of song lyrics performed by orpheus on the Lyrics.com website.

MythologyRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Orpheus

   (Or′pheus) was son of Apollo and the Muse Calliope. He was married to Eurydice; but she was stung by a serpent, and died. Orpheus went down to Hades to claim her, and played so sweetly with his lute that Pluto allowed Eurydice to return to the earth with Orpheus, but on condition that he did not look behind him until he had reached the terrestrial regions. Orpheus, however, in his anxiety to see if she were following him, looked round, and Eurydice disappeared from his sight, instantly and forever.

   “Orpheus’ lute was strung with poets’ sinews.” (Shakespeare.)

Who Was Who?Rate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Orpheus

   Lutist. When a young man he was given a lute. Practised in obscurity, and later appeared before large audiences. Made several successful concert tours. Married Eurydice. Spent a happy honeymoon. The bride did not wear shoes. She was bitten by a serpent. She died. O. descended to the abode of Old Nic, and charmed him with some Grecian ragtime. Nic promised to return the lady if O. would promise to get out of the place without looking around to see what other respectable people were there. O. started for the door. He heard familiar voices and rubbered. That ended the contract, and for all the editor has been able to ascertain Eurydice is there to this day.

Matched Categories

1. • Greek Mythology
   • Mythical Being

Anagrams for Orpheus »

1. shore up

2. upshore

3. ephorus

How to pronounce Orpheus?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say Orpheus in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of Orpheus in Chaldean Numerology is: 9

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of Orpheus in Pythagorean Numerology is: 3

Popularity rank by frequency of use

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=Orpheus
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Orpheus
3. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orpheus
4. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
5. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=Orpheus
6. ^ The Nuttall Encyclopedia
   https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/12342/pg12342-images.html#Orpheus
7. ^ Mythology
   https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/42474/pg42474-images.html#:~:text=Orpheus
8. ^ Who Was Who?
   https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/984/pg984-images.html#:~:text=Orpheus