Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web

cornucopian

 - 3 dictionary results

cor⋅nu⋅co⋅pi⋅a

[kawr-nuh-koh-pee-uh, -nyuh-]
–noun
1. Classical Mythology. a horn containing food, drink, etc., in endless supply, said to have been a horn of the goat Amalthaea.
2. a representation of this horn, used as a symbol of abundance.
3. an abundant, overflowing supply.
4. a horn-shaped or conical receptacle or ornament.

Origin:
1585–95; < LL, equiv. to L cornū horn (see cornu ) + cōpiae of plenty (gen. s. of cōpia); see copious


cor⋅nu⋅co⋅pi⋅an, adjective
cor⋅nu⋅co⋅pi⋅ate [kawr-nuh-koh-pee-it] , adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To cornucopian
cor·nu·co·pi·a   (kôr'nə-kō'pē-ə, -nyə-)   
n.  
  1. A goat's horn overflowing with fruit, flowers, and grain, signifying prosperity. Also called horn of plenty.

  2. Greek Mythology The horn of the goat that suckled Zeus, which broke off and became filled with fruit. In folklore, it became full of whatever its owner desired.

  3. A cone-shaped ornament or receptacle.

  4. An overflowing store; an abundance: a cornucopia of employment opportunities.


[Late Latin cornūcōpia, from Latin cornū cōpiae : cornū, horn; see cornu + cōpiae, genitive of cōpia, plenty; see op- in Indo-European roots.]
cor'nu·co'pi·an 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

cornucopia 
1508, from L. cornu copiæ "horn of plenty," originally the horn of the goat Amalthea, who nurtured the infant Zeus. See horn and copious.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see cornucopian on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us: