Dioscuri

plural noun

Di·​os·​cu·​ri ˌdī-ə-ˈskyu̇r-ˌī How to pronounce Dioscuri (audio) dī-ˈä-skyə-ˌrī How to pronounce Dioscuri (audio)
: the twins Castor and Pollux reunited as stars in the sky by Zeus after Castor's death and regarded as patrons of athletes and sailors

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek Dioskouroi, literally, sons of Zeus, from Dios (genitive of Zeus; akin to Latin divus divine) + kouroi, plural of kouros, koros boy — more at deity, crescent

First Known Use

1640, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Dioscuri was in 1640

Dictionary Entries Near Dioscuri

Dioscoreaceae

Dioscuri

dioscuric

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Cite this Entry

“Dioscuri.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Dioscuri. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about Dioscuri

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