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, adjectiveBritish Dictionary definitions for calypsonian (1 of 4)
calypsonian
/ (ˌkælɪpˈsəʊnɪən) /
noun
a performer or writer of calypsos
British Dictionary definitions for calypsonian (2 of 4)
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 calypsonian (3 of 4)
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 calypsonian (4 of 4)
Calypso
/ (kəˈlɪpsəʊ) /
noun
Greek myth
(in Homer's Odyssey) a sea nymph who detained Odysseus on the island of Ogygia for seven years