Cadmean

Cadmean
Cadmean Cad*me"an (k[a^]d*m[=e]"an), a. [L. Cadmeus, Gr. Kadmei^os, from Ka`dmos (L. Cadmus), which name perhaps means lit. a man from the East; cf. Heb. qedem east.] Of or pertaining to Cadmus, a fabulous prince of Thebes, who was said to have introduced into Greece the sixteen simple letters of the alphabet -- [alpha], [beta], [gamma], [delta], [epsilon], [iota], [kappa], [lambda], [mu], [nu], [omicron], [pi], [rho], [sigma], [tau], [upsilon]. These are called Cadmean letters. [1913 Webster]

{Cadmean victory}, a victory that damages the victors as much as the vanquished; probably referring to the battle in which the soldiers who sprang from the dragon's teeth sown by Cadmus slew each other. Similar to a {Pyhrric victory}. [1913 Webster +PJC]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Cadmean — [kad mē′ən] adj. of or like Cadmus …   English World dictionary

  • Cadmean victory — Cadmean Cad*me an (k[a^]d*m[=e] an), a. [L. Cadmeus, Gr. Kadmei^os, from Ka dmos (L. Cadmus), which name perhaps means lit. a man from the East; cf. Heb. qedem east.] Of or pertaining to Cadmus, a fabulous prince of Thebes, who was said to have… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Cadmean victory — c.1600, from Gk. Kadmeia nike victory involving one s own ruin [Liddell & Scott], from Cadmus (Gk. Kadmos), legendary founder of Thebes in Boeotia and bringer of the alphabet to Greece. Probably a reference to the story of Cadmus and the Sown Men …   Etymology dictionary

  • Cadmean victory — n. a victory won with great losses to the victors: see CADMUS …   English World dictionary

  • cadmean victory — n. = pyrrhic victory (see PYRRHIC(1)). Etymology: L Cadmeus f. Gk Kadmeios f. Kadmos Cadmus: see CADMIUM * * * noun Usage: usually capitalized C Etymology: translation of Greek Kadmeia nikē; from the mutual slaughter of all but five of the armed… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Cadmean victory — A Cadmean victory, from the Greek Kadmeia nike , is a reference to a victory involving one s own ruin [Liddell Scott] , from Cadmus (Greek Kadmos ), the legendary founder of Thebes in Boeotia and the mythic bringer of the alphabet to Greece.… …   Wikipedia

  • Cadmean — /kad mee euhn/, adj. of, pertaining to, or like Cadmus. [1595 1605; < L Cadme(us) ( < Gk Kadmeîos of CADMUS) + AN] * * * …   Universalium

  • Cadmean — adj. of or pertaining to Cadmus; similar or like Cadmus …   English contemporary dictionary

  • cadmean — cad·me·an …   English syllables

  • cadmean — …   Useful english dictionary

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