Calypso

[ kuh-lip-soh ]
/ kəˈlɪp soʊ /

noun, plural Ca·lyp·sos.

Also Kalypso. Classical Mythology. a sea nymph who detained Odysseus on the island of Ogygia for seven years.
(lowercase) Also called fairy-slipper. a terrestrial orchid, Calypso bulbosa, of the Northern Hemisphere, having a single variegated purple, yellow, and white flower.
(lowercase) a musical style of West Indian origin, influenced by jazz, usually having topical, often improvised, lyrics.

verb (used without object)

(lowercase) to sing or dance to calypso.

Origin of Calypso

the name of the musical style is of obscure origin and perhaps only copies the spelling of Calypso the sea nymph

OTHER WORDS FROM Calypso

ca·lyp·so·ni·an [kuh-lip-soh-nee-uh n, kal-ip-] /kə lɪpˈsoʊ ni ən, ˌkæl ɪp-/, noun, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for calypso

British Dictionary definitions for calypso (1 of 3)

calypso 1
/ (kəˈlɪpsəʊ) /

noun plural -sos

a popular type of satirical, usually topical, West Indian ballad, esp from Trinidad, usually extemporized to a percussive syncopated accompaniment
a dance done to the rhythm of this song

Word Origin for calypso

C20: probably from Calypso

British Dictionary definitions for calypso (2 of 3)

calypso 2
/ (kəˈlɪpsəʊ) /

noun plural -sos

a rare N temperate orchid, Calypso (or Cytherea) bulbosa, whose flower is pink or white with purple and yellow markings

Word Origin for calypso

C19: named after Calypso

British Dictionary definitions for calypso (3 of 3)

Calypso
/ (kəˈlɪpsəʊ) /

noun

Greek myth (in Homer's Odyssey) a sea nymph who detained Odysseus on the island of Ogygia for seven years