pyrrhic
1
[ pir-ik ]
/ ˈpɪr ɪk /
adjective
consisting of two short or unaccented syllables.
composed of or pertaining to pyrrhics.
noun
Also called dibrach.
a pyrrhic foot.
Origin of pyrrhic
1Words nearby pyrrhic
Definition for pyrrhic (2 of 3)
pyrrhic
2
[ pir-ik ]
/ ˈpɪr ɪk /
noun
an ancient Greek warlike dance in which the motions of actual warfare were imitated.
adjective
of, relating to, or denoting this dance.
Origin of pyrrhic
2
1590–1600; < Latin
pyrrhicha < Greek
pyrrhíchē a dance; said to be named after Pyrrhichus, the inventor
Definition for pyrrhic (3 of 3)
Pyrrhic
[ pir-ik ]
/ ˈpɪr ɪk /
adjective
of, relating to, or resembling Pyrrhus, king of Epirus, or his costly victory.
Example sentences from the Web for pyrrhic
British Dictionary definitions for pyrrhic (1 of 2)
pyrrhic
1
/ (ˈpɪrɪk) prosody /
noun
a metrical foot of two short or unstressed syllables
adjective
of or relating to such a metrical foot
(of poetry) composed in pyrrhics
Word Origin for pyrrhic
C16: via Latin, from Greek
purrhikhē, traditionally said to be named after its inventor
Purrhikhos
British Dictionary definitions for pyrrhic (2 of 2)
pyrrhic
2
/ (ˈpɪrɪk) /
noun
a war dance of ancient Greece
adjective
of or relating to this dance
Word Origin for pyrrhic
C17: Latin from Greek
purrhikhios belonging to the
purrhikhē war dance performed in armour; see
pyrrhic
1