Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web

ananke

 - 3 dictionary results

An⋅an⋅ke

[uh-nang-kee, uh-nan-kee]
–noun Astronomy.
a small natural satellite of the planet Jupiter.

Origin:
< Gk anánkē necessity, force
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To ananke
An·an·ke   (ə-nāng'kē, ə-nān'-)   
n.  A satellite of Jupiter.

[Greek Anankē, mother of Adrasteia, distributor of rewards and punishments, by Jupiter, from anankē, necessity.]
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
Encyclopedia

Ananke

in Greek literature, necessity or fate personified. In Homer the personification has not yet occurred, although even the gods admit they are limited in their freedom of action. Ananke is rather prominent in post-Homeric literature and theological speculation, particularly in the mystic cult of Orphism, but is definitely known to emerge into a cult only at Corinth, where she was worshiped with Bia ("Might," or "Force"). Because of her unalterable nature it was pointless to render to her offerings or sacrifice-"Nothing is stronger than dread Necessity" was a Greek byword.

Learn more about Ananke with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see ananke on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us: