GLOSSARY OF MUSES

THE GLOSSARY OF THE MUSES

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GLOSSARY OF THE MOUSAI

NOTE: A list of abbreviations can be found on this page: GLOSSARY HOME.

Ælikóhn - (Helicon; Gr. Ἑλικών, ΕΛΙΚΩΝ) Lexicon entry: Ἑλῐκών, ῶνος, ὁ, Helicon, a hill in Boeotia, the seat of the Muses, Hes.Op.639, etc.:—hence Ἑλῐκωνιάδες (namely, παρθένοι), αἱ, dwellers on Helicon, i.e. Muses; Μοῦσαι Hes.Op.658, Th.1:—also Ἑλῐκωνίδες Νύμφαι S.OT1108 (lyr.); Μοῦσαι E.HF791 (lyr.): sg., of a poet's reed-pen. II.Ἑλικωνιάς, άδος, ἡ,= ὑάκινθος. (L&S p. 533, right column, edited for simplicity.)

Ælikohniádæs Parthǽni - (Heliconiades Parthenoi; Gr. Ἑλῐκωνιάδες παρθένοι, ΕΛΙΚΩΝΙΑΔΕΣ ΠΑΡΘΕΝΟΙ) The Ælikohniádæs Parthǽni (maidens) are the Nine Mousai, those who dwell on Mount Ælikóhn (Helicon; Gr. Ἑλικών) in Viohtía (Boeotia; Gr. Βοιωτία), the mountain associated with their birth. Also see Ælikóhn.

Ælikohnídæs Nýmphai - (Heliconides Nymphs; Gr. Ἑλῐκωνίδες Νύμφαι, ΕΛΙΚΩΝΙΔΕΣ ΝΥΜΦΑΙ) The Ælikohnídæs Nýmphai are the Nine Mousai, those who dwell on Mount Ælikóhn (Helicon; Gr. Ἑλικών) in Viohtía (Boeotia; Gr. Βοιωτία), the mountain associated with their birth. It was widely held, particularly in early times, that the Mousai are Nýmphai (Nymphs). Also see Ælikóhn.

Ǽpæa - (Epea; Gr. Ἔπεα, ΕΠΕΑ) Ǽpæa is Epic Poetry, the poems telling the stories of the great Íroæs (Gr. Ἥρωες), the Heroes; the word is the plural form of ἔπος. (See L&S p. 676, ἔπος def. IV.) Cf. Ǽpos and Æpopiía.

Æpopiía - (Epopoiïa; Gr. Ἐποποιία, ΕΠΟΠΟΙΙΑ) Æpopiía is Epic Poetry.

- Lexicon entry: ἐποποιία, Ep. ἐποποιίη, ἡ, epic poetry or an epic poem. II. divination by means of Homeric verses. (L&S p. 676, left column.) Cf. Ǽpæa.

Ǽpos - (epos; Gr. ἔπος, ΕΠΟΣ. Plural is ἔπεα.) Ǽpos means word, utterance, a song or hymn. The plural form, Ǽpæa (Gr. Ἔπεα), is Epic Poetry, and, of course, the epic poems were written about the Íroæs (Gr. Ἥρωες), the Heroes. (See L&S p. 676, ἔπος def. IV.) Cf. Ǽpæa.

Aïdí - (Gr. aoide; Gr. ἀοιδή, ΑΟΙΔΗ) Lexicon entry: ἀοιδή [ᾰ], Att. contr. ᾠδή (q. v.), ἡ, : (ἀείδω):—song, whether: 1.art of song. 2. act of singing, song. 3. thing sung, song; whether of joy or sorrow. 4. theme of song, person sung of.5. = ἐπῳδή, spell, incantation. (L&S p. 172, right column, edited for simplicity.)

Aïdós - (aoidos; Gr. ἀοιδός, ΑΟΙΔΟΣ) Lexicon entry: ἀοιδός [ᾰ], ὁ, (ἀείδω) singer, minstrel, bard. 2. fem., songstress; of the nightingale; of the Sphinx. 3. enchanter. II. as Adj., tuneful, musical, ἀοιδοτάταν ὄρνιθα E.Hel.1109 (lyr.). 2. Pass., = ἀοίδιμος, famous. III. = εὐνοῦχο. (L&S p. 172, right column, edited for simplicity.)

Aïdothǽtis - (aoidothetes; Gr. ἀοιδοθέτης, ΑΟΙΔΟΘΕΤΗΣ) Lexicon entry: ἀοιδοθέτης [ᾰ], ου, ὁ, lyric poet. (L&S p. 172, right column, edited for simplicity.)

Crocopeplos - See Krokópæplos.

Epea - See Ǽpæa.

Epic Poetry - See Ǽpæa.

Epos - See Ǽpos.

Khristomousǽoh - (Chrestomuseo; Gr. χρηστομουσέω, ΧΡΗΣΤΟΜΟΥΣΕΩ) Lexicon entry: χρηστομουσέω, to be devoted to good music. (L&S p. 2007, left column, within the entries beginning with χρηστοκαρπία, edited for simplicity.)

Krokópæplos - (crocopeplos; Gr. κροκόπεπλος, ΚΡΟΚΟΠΕΠΛΟΣ) Lexicon entry: κροκόπεπλος, ον, with yellow veil; Ἐνυώ Hes.Th.273; of a river-nymph, ib.358; of the Muses, Alcm.85 A. (L&S p. 998, left column, at the top within the entries beginning on the previous page with κροκόβαπτος, edited for simplicity.)

Mælohdía - (melodia; Gr. μελῳδία, ΜΕΛΩΙΔΙΑ) Lexicon entry: μελῳδία, ἡ, singing, chanting, etc. II. chant, choral song; lullaby: generally, music. (L&S p. 1100, right column, within the entries beginning with μελῳδητικός, edited for simplicity.)

Mælopiǽoh - (melopoieo; Gr. μελοποιέω, ΜΕΛΟΠΟΙΕΩ) Lexicon entry: μελοποιέω, make lyric poems. 2. compose music. II. set to music. 2. express in song. 3. write melodiously. (L&S p. 1099, right column, edited for simplicity.)

Mælopiós - (melopoios; Gr. μελοποιός, ΜΕΛΟΠΟΙΟΣ) Lexicon entry: μελοποιός, ὁ, maker of songs, lyric poet. II. as Adj., generally, tuneful. (L&S p. 1099, right column, within the entries beginning with μελοποιέω, edited for simplicity.)

Mǽlos - (melos; Gr. μέλος, ΜΕΛΟΣ) Lexicon entry: μέλος, εος, τό, limb, in early writers always in pl.. 2. metaph.. 3. features, form. B. esp. musical member, phrase: hence, song, strain, of the nightingale; esp. of lyric poetry; μέλη, τά, lyric poetry, choral songs, opp. Epic or Dramatic verse. b. lyric portion of the Comic παράβασις. 2. music to which a song is set, tune. 3. melody of an instrument. (L&S p. 1099, right column, edited for simplicity.)

Mælpítohr - (melpetor; Gr. μελπήτωρ, ΜΕΛΠΗΤΩΡ) Lexicon entry: μελπήτωρ, ορος, ὁ, (μέλπω) singer. (L&S p. 1100, left column, edited for simplicity.)

Mǽlpoh - (melpo; Gr. μέλπω, ΜΕΛΠΩ) Lexicon entry: μέλπω:—poet. Verb, celebrate with song and dance. 2. intr., sing. II. Med. μέλπομαι, (v. infr.), (lyr.): aor. part. μελψάμενος: fut. μέλψομαι in pass. sense:—sing to the lyre or harp; Μελπόμενος, epith. of Dionysus at Athens; dance and sing, as a chorus, μετὰ μελπομένῃσιν ἐν χορῷ. 2. c. acc., sing of, celebrate. (L&S p. 1100, left column, edited for simplicity.)

Mneiai - (Mneiae; Gr. Μνείᾳ, ΜΝΕΙΑΙ) The Mneiai are the Remembrances, i.e., the nine Olympian Mousai.

Mnímænos - (mnemenos; Gr. μνήμενος, ΜΝΗΜΕΝΟΣ) Lexicon entry: μνήμενος, remembering, Od.15.400, as cited by Arist.Rh.1370^b5. (L&S p. 1139, left column)

Mními - (mneme; Gr. μνήμη, ΜΝΗΜΗ) Lexicon entry: μνήμη, Dor. μνάμα, ἡ, (μνάομαι) remembrance, memory of a person or thing. 2. memory as a power of the mind. 3. memorial, record. II. mention, notice of a thing. III. μνήμη βασίλειος the imperial cabinet or archives. IV. = μνῆμα, tomb. (L&S p. 1139, left column, edited for simplicity.)

Mousa - (Muse; Gr. Μοῦσα, ΜΟΥΣΑ, singular. Μοῦσαι is plural.) Lexicon entry: Μοῦσα, ης, ἡ, Aeol. Μοῖσα:—Muse; nine in number, first in Od.24.60; named in Hes.Th.75 sqq. II. μοῦσα, as Appellat., music, song: in Prose; esp. liberal arts, accomplishments. 2. αὕτη ἡ Σωκράτους μ. that was Socrates's way, Gal.UP1.9.

Mousaïstai - (Gr. Μουσαϊσταί, ΜΟΥΣΑΙΣΤΑΙ) Lexicon entry: Μουσᾰϊσταί, οἱ, guild of worshippers of the Muses, IG12(1).680 (Ialysus). (L&S p. 1148, right column)

Mousarkhos - (Mousarchos; Gr. Μούσαρχος, ΜΟΥΣΑΡΧΟΣ) Lexicon entry: Μούσαρχος, Dor. Μώσαρχος, ὁ, leader of the Muses, epith. of Apollo, Terp.3 ( = Carm.Pop.49 Diehl). (L&S p. 1148, right column.) Cf. Mousayǽtas.

Mousayǽtas - (Mousagetes; Gr. Μουσαγέτας, ΜΟΥΣΑΓΕΤΑΣ) Mousayǽtas is an epithet of Apóllohn, companion of the Nine Muses. (source: CM* p.22)

- Lexicon entry: Μουσᾱγέτᾱς, α, ὁ, Dor. for Μουσηγέτης (v. infr.), leader of the Muses, epith. of Apollo:—in Att. form Μουσηγέτης; voc. Μουσηγέτᾰ; also epith. of Heracles, in dat. Μουσαγήτῃ, ib.14.101* (perh. spurious). (L&S p. 1148, right column.) Cf. Mousarkhos.

Mouseion - (Museum; Gr. Μουσεῖον, ΜΟΥΣΕΙΟΝ) Lexicon entry: Μουσεῖον, τό, shrine of the Muses, seat or haunt of the Muses: hence, 2. home of music or poetry; ἀηδόνων μ. choir of nightingales: generally, school of art or letters.3. a Museum, i. e. a philosophical school and library, such as that of Plato at Athens.; at Alexandria.; περιπατοῦν M. 'a walking library', of Longinus. II. the Museum, a hill at Athens. III. as the title of a book. IV. Μουσεῖα, τά, festival of the Muses. (L&S p. 1148, right column, edited for simplicity.)

Mouseios - (Gr. Μούσειος, ΜΟΥΣΕΙΟΣ) Lexicon entry: Μούσειος, ον, Aeol. Μοισαῖος, α, ον, (Μοῦσα) of or belonging to the Muses. II. musical. (L&S p. 1148, right column, edited for simplicity.)

Mousikí - (music; Gr. μουσική, ΜΟΥΣΙΚΗ) Lexicon entry: μουσῐκή (sc. τέχνη), ἡ, any art over which the Muses presided, esp. poetry sung to music. 2. = ἀγὼν μουσικῆς. II. generally, art or letters; μουσική, γράμματα, γυμναστική, as three branches of education. (L&S p. 1148, right column)

Mousikós - (musician; Gr. μουσικός, ΜΟΥΣΙΚΟΣ) Lexicon entry: μουσῐκός, ή, όν, Dor. μωσικός, ά, όν Theag. ap. Stob.3.1.118:— musical; τὰ μουσικά music. II. of persons, skilled in music, musical; lyric poet, opp. epic; μ., οἱ, professional musicians. 2. generally, votary of the Muses, man of letters and accomplishments, scholar. III. of things, elegant, delicate; harmonious, fitting. Adv. -κῶς harmoniously, suitably. (L&S p. 1148 right column, edited for simplicity.)

Mousiktás - (Gr. μουσικτάς, ΜΟΥΣΙΚΤΑΣ) Lexicon entry: μουσικτάς, = μουσικός. (L&S p. 1149, left column, edited for simplicity.)

Mousodós - (Gr. μουσῳδός, ΜΟΥΣΩΙΔΟΣ) Lexicon entry: μουσῳδός, όν, (ᾠδή) singing, making music. (L&S p. 1149, edited for simplicity.)

Mousokharís - (Gr. μουσοχαρής, ΜΟΥΣΟΧΑΡΗΣ) Lexicon entry: μουσο-χᾰρής, ές, delighting in the Muses or in poetry; μουσόχορος is prob. f.l. for -χαρής in Cat.Cod.Astr.8(4).214. (L&S p. 1149, within the entries beginning μουσόφθαρτος, edited for simplicity.)

Mousoliptǽomai - (Gr. μουσοληπτέομαι, ΜΟΥΣΟΛΗΠΤΕΟΜΑΙ) Lexicon entry: μουσο-ληπτέομαι, Pass., to be possessed by the Muse. (L&S p. 1149, within the entries beginning μουσόδομος, edited for simplicity.)

Mousóliptos - (Gr. μουσόληπτος, ΜΟΥΣΟΛΗΠΤΟΣ) Lexicon entry: μουσό-ληπτος, ον, Muse-inspired. (L&S p. 1149, within the entries beginning μουσόδομος, edited for simplicity.)

Mousomanǽoh - (Gr. μουσομανέω, ΜΟΥΣΟΜΑΝΕΩ) Lexicon entry: μουσο-μᾰνέω, to be music-mad; prob. in this sense in S.Fr. 245 (lyr.; unless μουσομανεῖ is dat. of sq.). (L&S p. 1149, within the entries beginning μουσόδομος, edited for simplicity.)

Mousomanía - (Gr. μουσομανία, ΜΟΥΣΟΜΑΝΙΑ) Lexicon entry: μουσο-μᾰνία, ἡ, devotion to the Muses, Plu.2.706c (pl.). (L&S p. 1149 within the entries beginning μουσόδομος.)

Mousomanís - (Gr. μουσομανής, ΜΟΥΣΟΜΑΝΗΣ) Lexicon entry: μουσο-μᾰνής, ές, devoted to melody. (L&S p. 1149, within the entries beginning μουσόδομος, edited for simplicity.)

Mousómantis - (Gr. μουσόμαντις, ΜΟΥΣΟΜΑΝΤΙΣ) Lexicon entry: μουσό-μαντις ὄρνις, bird of prophetic song. (L&S p. 1149, within the entries beginning μουσόδομος, edited for simplicity.)

Mousomítohr - (Gr. Μουσομήτωρ, ΜΟΥΣΟΜΗΤΩΡ) Mousomítohr is an epithet of Mnimosýni, meaning the mother of the Mousai and all arts.

- Lexicon entry: μουσο-μήτωρ, ορος, ἡ, the mother of Muses and all arts, epith. of Memory. (L&S p. 1149, within the entries beginning μουσόδομος, edited for simplicity.)

Mousóöh - (Gr. μουσόω, ΜΟΥΣΟΩ) Lexicon entry: μουσό-ω, furnish with power of song, ὅσα φύσις μεμούσωκε, of birds. 2. adorn with mosaic. II. mostly Pass., to be trained in the ways of the Muses, to be educated or accomplished.

2. to be set to music; to be filled with melody. (L&S p. 1149, within the entries beginning μουσόφθαρτος, edited for simplicity.)

Mousopátaktos - (Gr. μουσοπάτακτος, ΜΟΥΣΟΠΑΤΑΚΤΟΣ) Lexicon entry: μουσο-πάτακτος [πᾰ], ον, smitten by the Muses, 'moonstruck.' (L&S p. 1149, within the entries beginning μουσόδομος, edited for simplicity.)

Mousophilís - (Gr. μουσοφιλής, ΜΟΥΣΟΦΙΛΗΣ) Lexicon entry: μουσο-φῐλής, ές, loving the Muses. (L&S p. 1149, within the entries beginning μουσόφθαρτος, edited for simplicity.)

Mousophílitos - (Gr. μουσοφίλητος, ΜΟΥΣΟΦΙΛΗΤΟΣ) Lexicon entry: μουσο-φίλητος [ῐ], ον, dear to the Muses. (L&S p. 1149, within the entries beginning μουσόφθαρτος, edited for simplicity.)

Mousóphthartos (Gr. μουσόφθαρτος, ΜΟΥΣΟΦΘΑΡΤΟΣ) Lexicon entry: μουσό-φθαρτος, ον, slain by the Muses. (L&S p. 1149, edited for simplicity.)

Mousopiós - (mousopoios; Gr. μουσοποιός, ΜΟΥΣΟΠΟΙΟΣ) Lexicon entry: μουσοποιός, όν, making poetry, poet; poetess, of Sappho. II. singing or playing. (L&S p. 1149, within the entries beginning μουσόδομος, edited for simplicity.)

Mousopólos - (Gr. μουσοπόλος, ΜΟΥΣΟΠΟΛΟΣ) Lexicon entry: μουσο-πόλος, ον, serving the Muses, poetic. II. Subst., bard, minstrel. (L&S p. 1149, within the entries beginning μουσόδομος, edited for simplicity.)

Mousóppytos - (Gr. μουσόρρυτος, ΜΟΥΣΟΠΠΥΤΟΣ) Lexicon entry: μουσό-ρρῠτος, ον, flowing with music, i. e. gifted with poetic talent. (L&S p. 1149, within the entries beginning μουσόδομος, edited for simplicity.)

Mousotǽknis - (Gr. μουσοτέχνης, ΜΟΥΣΟΤΕΧΝΗΣ) Lexicon entry: μουσο-τέχνης, ου, Dor. -νᾱς, ὁ, musician. (L&S p. 1149, within the entries beginning μουσόδομος, edited for simplicity.)

Mousotraphís - (Gr. μουσοτραφής, ΜΟΥΣΟΤΡΑΦΗΣ) Lexicon entry: μουσο-τρᾰφής, ές, reared by the Muses. (L&S p. 1149, within the entries beginning μουσόδομος, edited for simplicity.)

Mousouryía - (Gr. μουσουργία, ΜΟΥΣΟΥΡΓΙΑ) Lexicon entry: μουσουργ-ία, ἡ, singing, making poetry. (L&S p. 1149, within the entries beginning μουσουργέω, edited for simplicity.)

Piæría - (Pieria; Gr. Πιερία, also Πιερίς) Lexicon entry: Πῑερία, ἡ, Ion. -ιη, Pieria, in the S.W. of Macedonia, Il.14.226, Od.5.50, Hes.Th.53. Adv. Πῑερίηθεν, from Pieria: Πῑερίδες, αἱ, Pierides, name of the Muses, as haunting Pieria, Hes.Sc.206, Pi.O.10(11).96, etc.: Adj. Πῑερικός, ή, όν, Hdt. 4.195, etc. (L&S p. 1403, left column, edited for simplicity.)

Piærian Maidens - (Pierian) The Piærian Maidens are the Mousai, for they were born in Piæría (Pieria; Gr. Πιερία, also Πιερίς) near Mount Ólympos (Olympus; Gr. Όλυμπος). (Ἡσίοδος Θεογονία 53) Cf. Piærídæs. See also Piæría.

Piærídæs - (Pierides; Gr. Πῑερίδες, ΠΙΕΡΙΔΕΣ) The Piærídæs are the Mousai, for they were born in Piæría (Pieria; Gr. Πιερία, also Πιερίς) near Mount Ólympos (Olympus; Gr. Όλυμπος). (Ἡσίοδος Θεογονία 53) Cf. Piærian Maidens. See also Piæría.

Píisis - (poiesis; Gr. ποίησις, ΠΟΙΗΣΙΣ) Píisis is poetry.

- Lexicon entry: ποίησις, εως, ἡ, fabrication, creation, production, opp. πρᾶξις. 2. of Poetry: abs., art of poetry. b.poetic composition, poem. II. = εἰσποίησις, adoption. 2. in collect. sense, those adopted. III. method of procedure, in Magic. (L&S p. 1429, left column, within the entries beginning with ποιησείω, edited for simplicity.)

Piitís - (poietes; Gr. ποιητής, ΠΟΙΗΤΗΣ) Piitís is the general word for a poet.

- Lexicon entry: ποιητής, οῦ, ὁ, maker. 2. workman. II. composer of a poem, author. b. composer of music. 2.author of a speech, opp. deliverer of it. (L&S p. 1429, left column, within the entries beginning with ποιησείω, edited for simplicity.)

Piitodidáskalos - (poietodidaskalus; Gr. ποιητοδιδάσκαλος, ΠΟΙΗΤΟΔΙΔΑΣΚΑΛΟΣ) Lexicon entry: ποιητοδῐδάσκᾰλος, ὁ, poet's master. (L&S p. 1429, right column, after the entry for ποιητογράφος, edited for simplicity.)

Piitográphos - (poietographus; Gr. ποιητογράφος, ΠΟΙΗΤΟΓΡΑΦΟΣ) Lexicon entry: ποιητογράφος [ᾰ], ὁ, = ποιητής (ed. Piitís, i.e. poet.). (L&S p. 1429, right column, edited for simplicity.)

Piítria - (poietria; Gr. ποιήτρια, ΠΟΙΗΤΡΙΑ) Lexicon entry: ποιήτρια, ἡ, fem. of ποιητής; poetess. (L&S p. 1429, after the entry for ποιητός, edited for simplicity.)

Pimpliídæs - (Pimpleïdes; Gr. Πιμπληίδες, ΠΙΜΠΛΗΙΔΕΣ. Plural adj.) Pimpleian, an epithet of the Mousai meaning of Πίμπλεια, a place associated with Orphéfs and the Mousai.

Syngraphí - (Syngraphe; Gr. Συγγραφή, ΣΥΓΓΡΑΦΙ. Noun.) Syngraphí is prosaic (especially) narrative, History.

- Lexicon entry: συγγρᾰφή, ἡ, writing or noting down. II. that which is written, writing, book, esp. in prose: history, narrative. 2. draft decree drawn up by the συγγραφῆς; also written contract, covenant, bond. III. a mark in the eye, σ. ὕφαιμος, as definition of αἱμάλωψ (ed. a mass of blood, a blood-clot). (L&S p. 1661, left column, within the entries beginning with συγγραφεύς, edited for simplicity.)

Syngraphía - (Gr. συγγραφία, ΣΥΓΓΡΑΦΙΑ) Lexicon entry: συγγρᾰφία, Ion. -ιη, ἡ,= συγγραφή. (L&S p. 1661, left column, within the entries beginning with συγγραφεύς, edited for simplicity.)

The story of the birth of the Gods: Orphic Rhapsodic Theogony.

We know the various qualities and characteristics of the Gods based on metaphorical stories: Mythology.

Dictionary of terms related to ancient Greek mythology: Glossary of Hellenic Mythology.

Introduction to the Thæí (the Gods): The Nature of the Gods.

How do we know there are Gods? Experiencing Gods.