ithyphallic

[ ith-uh-fal-ik ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

of or relating to the phallus carried in ancient festivals of Bacchus.
grossly indecent; obscene.
Classical Prosody. noting or pertaining to any of several meters employed in hymns sung in Bacchic processions.

ithyphallic

/ ˌɪθɪˈfælɪk /

prosody (in classical verse) of or relating to the usual metre in hymns to Bacchus
of or relating to the phallus carried in the ancient festivals of Bacchus
(of sculpture and graphic art) having or showing an erect penis

1605–15; < Late Latin īthyphallicus < Greek īthyphallikós, equivalent to īthý ( s ) straight, erect + phall ( ós ) phallus + -ikos -ic

C17: from Late Latin, from Greek ithuphallikos, from ithuphallos erect phallus, from ithus straight + phallos phallus

A composite metre, an anapaestic paroemiac followed by a trochaic ithyphallic.

The ithyphallic, which was marked by a succession of three trochees at the end of the line, was the most distinguished.

Ithyphallic, ith-i-fal′ik, adj. pertaining to certain rites: obscene.

No ithyphallic 165images or figures of gods have been found.

Represented as ithyphallic, with two tall plumes on his head, the right arm upraised and bearing a scourge.

April 23, 2024inveterate

[in-vet-er-it ]

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Browse