Dionysus

noun

Di·​o·​ny·​sus ˌdī-ə-ˈnī-səs How to pronounce Dionysus (audio) -ˈnē- How to pronounce Dionysus (audio)

Examples of Dionysus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web At the same time, the Dior Saddle bag is having a comeback, and the Gucci Dionysus and the Jackie bag with the horse bit remain popular. Sharon Edelson, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2024 While in town, explore the Ancient Theatre of Larissa, dedicated to the god Dionysus, to learn more about the area's ancient history. Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 16 Jan. 2024 In early Greece, celebrants of the new year paraded a baby in a basket to celebrate Dionysus, their god of wine. Dorothy Dworkin, Sun Sentinel, 4 Jan. 2024 Each performer takes on an almost ceremonial duty—one that tracks back to Dionysus—to carry the audience past discomfort and into something sublime. Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2023 Briefly, Ino was the sister of Semele, mother of Dionysus. Luke Schulze, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Oct. 2023 Although the legend of Dionysus—a Greek deity responsible for wine and other pleasurable pursuits—is centuries old, the mythological figure is still influencing modern-day Greece. Shana Clarke, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Aug. 2023 In Greek folklore, a donkey — an equid involved in the harvest and production of wine — was the mount that carried the god Dionysus into battle against the Giants, and flutes fashioned from donkey tibiae (which produced a braying-like sound) were used in his worship. Franz Lidz Samuel Aranda, New York Times, 14 Mar. 2023 Some designers have even shrunk their iconic bags into mini-size versions to accommodate a place for your buds, like Saint Laurent’s micro-sized Loulou or Gucci’s Dionysus. Madeline Fass, Vogue, 5 July 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Dionysus.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from Greek Dionysos

First Known Use

1812, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Dionysus was in 1812

Dictionary Entries Near Dionysus

Cite this Entry

“Dionysus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Dionysus. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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