Paphian

[ pey-fee-uh n ]

/ ˈpeɪ fi ən /

of or relating to Paphos, an ancient city of Cyprus sacred to Aphrodite.

of or relating to love, especially illicit sexual love; erotic; wanton.

noting or pertaining to Aphrodite or to her worship or service.

the Paphian, Aphrodite: so called from her cult center at Paphos.

(often lowercase) a prostitute.

Origin of Paphian

1605–15; < Latin Paphi(us) (< Greek Páphios of Paphos, of Aphrodite) + -an

He might have been an overgrown and badly dressed Cupid who had innocently wandered from Paphian shores.

Stories in Light and Shadow |Bret Harte
A tear the Paphian sheds for each blood-drop of Adonis, and tears and blood on the earth are turned to flowers.

Theocritus, Bion and Moschus |Theocritus
Would you worship the Paphian goddess, the groves of Cyprus are not more taciturn than those of the Temple.

The Warden |Anthony Trollope
A small model of a temple is peculiarly Phnician, like that repeated upon Paphian coins.

History of Ancient Art |Franz von Reber

Paphian; a reference to Paphos in Cyprus where Aphrodit first set foot after her birth from sea foam.

English Narrative Poems |Various

Paphian

/ (ˈpeɪfɪən) /

of or relating to Paphos

of or relating to Aphrodite

literary of sexual love