Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web

amphorae

 - 3 dictionary results

am⋅pho⋅ra

[am-fer-uh]
–noun, plural -pho⋅rae [-fuh-ree] , -pho⋅ras. Greek and Roman Antiquity.
a large two-handled storage jar having an oval body, usually tapering to a point at the base, with a pair of handles extending from immediately below the lip to the shoulder: used chiefly for oil, wine, etc., and, set on a foot, as a commemorative vase awarded the victors in contests such as the Panathenaic games.
Compare pelike, stamnos.


Origin:
1300–50; ME < L < Gk amphoreús, equiv. to am(phi)- amphi- + phoreús bearer (i.e., handle), akin to phérein to bear


am⋅pho⋅ral, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To amphorae
am·pho·ra   (ām'fər-ə)   
n.   pl. am·pho·rae (-fə-rē') or am·pho·ras
A two-handled jar with a narrow neck used by the ancient Greeks and Romans to carry wine or oil.

[Middle English, from Latin, from Greek amphoreus, short for amphiphoreus : amphi-, amphi- + phoreus, bearer (from pherein, to bear; see bher-1 in Indo-European roots).]
am'pho·ral adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

amphora 
1323, "two-handled vessel for holding wine, oil, etc.," from L. amphora from Gk. amphoreus, contraction of amphiphoreus, from amphi- "on both sides" + phoreus "bearer." Also a liquid measure in the ancient world, in Gk. equal to 9 gallons, in Rome to 6 gallons, 7 pints.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see amphorae on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us: