Paphian

Paphian
1. adjective /ˈpeɪfɪən/
a) Pertaining to love or sexual desire, especially when illicit.

I lay, as it were, in the Paphian bower of bliss, in a state of exquisite sensations quite impossible to describe.

b) Of or relating to Paphos, the mythical birthplace of the goddess of love on the island of Cyprus.

Then thus incensed, the Paphian queen replies: / "Obey the power from whom thy glories rise: / Should Venus leave thee, every charm must fly, / Fade from thy cheek, and languish in thy eye. / Cease to provoke me, lest I make thee more / The world’s aversion, than their love before; / Now the bright prize for which mankind engage, / Than, the sad victim, of the public rage."

2. noun /ˈpeɪfɪən/

They reachd the hotel: forth streamd from the front door / A tide of well-clad waiters, and around / The mob stood, and as usual several score / Of those pedestrian Paphians who abound / In decent London when the daylights oer; / Commodious but immoral, they are found / Useful, like Malthus, in promoting marriage.

b) A resident of Paphos.

Then there is the mastus. Apollodorus the Cyrenæan, as Pamphilus says, states that this is a name given to drinking-cups by the Paphians.


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  • Paphian — Pa phi*an, a. [L. Paphius, Gr. ?, from ? the city Paphos.] Of or pertaining to Paphos, an ancient city of Cyprus, having a celebrated temple of Venus; hence, pertaining to Venus, or her rites. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Paphian — Pa phi*an, n. A native or inhabitant of Paphos. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Paphian — index lascivious, salacious Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • Paphian — [pā′fē ən] adj. [< L Paphius + AN] 1. of Paphos 2. [in reference to the worship of Aphrodite in Paphos] of sexual love; erotic …   English World dictionary

  • paphian — I. ˈpāfēən adjective Usage: usually capitalized Etymology: Latin paphius Paphian (from Greek paphios, from Paphos, ancient city of Cyprus that was the center of worship of the Greek goddess of love Aphrodite) + English an 1. a …   Useful english dictionary

  • Paphian — /pay fee euhn/, adj. 1. of or pertaining to Paphos, an ancient city of Cyprus sacred to Aphrodite. 2. of or pertaining to love, esp. illicit sexual love; erotic; wanton. 3. noting or pertaining to Aphrodite or to her worship or service. n. 4. the …   Universalium

  • Paphian —    associated with prostitution    Paphos, or Cyprus, was sacred to Venus, the goddess of love:     Cyprians of the better sort... well acquainted with its Paphian intricacies. (Mayhew, 1862) …   How not to say what you mean: A dictionary of euphemisms

  • Paphian Bay Hotel Paphos (Paphos) — Paphian Bay Hotel Paphos country: Cyprus, city: Paphos (Beach) Paphian Bay Hotel Paphos Set on the outer Paphos, The Paphian Bay Hotel is an ideal for families and couples who are looking for a relaxing resort, where unsurpassed service is… …   International hotels

  • Paphian — I. noun Etymology: Latin paphius, from Greek paphios, from Paphos, ancient city of Cyprus that was the center of worship of Aphrodite Date: 1598 1. often not capitalized prostitute 2. a native or inhabitant of Paphos II. adjective Date …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • paphian — pa·phi·an …   English syllables

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