What does "parnassian" mean?
A papilionid butterfly of the holarctic alpine genus Parnassius or the subfamily Parnassiinae; an apollo butterfly.
Parnassian
adj, noun
adj, noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A papilionid butterfly of the holarctic alpine genus Parnassius or the subfamily Parnassiinae; an apollo butterfly.
- Grammar: parnassian is listed as adj, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: balladmonger, bard, elegist, jongleur.
- Usage evidence: King Atlas called straight to minde an auncient prophesie Made by Parnassian Themys, which this sentence did implie: The time shall one day, Atlas, come in which thy golden tree Shall of hir fayre and precious fruite dispoyld and robbed bee.
How to use "parnassian"
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- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "parnassian" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
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- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "parnassian" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "parnassian" is acting as adj, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
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Final meaning check
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Definitions
Noun
- 1 A papilionid butterfly of the holarctic alpine genus Parnassius or the subfamily Parnassiinae; an apollo butterfly.
- 2 A poet. rare
- 3 A French poet of the Parnassianism movement.
Adjective
- 1 Of, relating to, or designating papilionid butterflies of the genus Parnassius or the subfamily Parnassiinae, consisting of the apollo butterflies. not-comparable
- 2 Of or relating to Parnassus, as the source of literary (especially poetic) inspiration; (hence) of or belonging to poetry.
"King Atlas called straight to minde an auncient prophesie Made by Parnassian Themys, which this sentence did implie: The time shall one day, Atlas, come in which thy golden tree Shall of hir fayre and precious fruite dispoyld and robbed bee."
- 3 Of or relating to a style of poetry or language which can only be created by poets, but not in the language of inspiration.
"[…] at last, — this is the point to be marked, - they can see things in this Parnassian way and describe them in this Parnassian tongue, without further effort of inspiration."
- 4 Of or relating to the Parnassianism movement of French poetry in the years 1850 to 1900, whose adherents rejected Romanticism and instead favored classicism with its formal structure and emotional detachment. historical
"The Parnassian theory of art is mere imbecility."
Example
"King Atlas called straight to minde an auncient prophesie Made by Parnassian Themys, which this sentence did implie: The time shall one day, Atlas, come in which thy golden tree Shall of hir fayre and precious fruite dispoyld and robbed bee."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "parnassian"?
Common synonyms include: balladmonger, bard, elegist, jongleur, laureate, librettist.
How do you use "parnassian" in a sentence?
King Atlas called straight to minde an auncient prophesie Made by Parnassian Themys, which this sentence did implie: The time shall one day, Atlas, come in which thy golden tree Shall of hir fayre and precious fruite dispoyld and robbed bee.
Etymology
From Parnassus, from Latin Parnassus, from Ancient Greek Παρνασσός (Parnassós).