Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • A figure in Greek mythology: Daedalus is an Athenian inventor and craftsman, most famous for constructing the Labyrinth for King Minos of Crete. He also created wings made of feathers and wax for himself and his son Icarus to escape imprisonment.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • The myth of Daedalus and Icarus is a classic tale about ambition and its consequences.
  • Daedalus is often cited as the archetype of the ingenious artist and inventor.

Advanced Usage

• "Daedalian" or "Daedalean" (adjective): Ingeniously complex or intricate; labyrinthine.
  • The novel's plot was Daedalian, full of twists and turns.
• In extended metaphor: Used to symbolize human ingenuity, creativity, and the potential dangers of overreaching.
  • The engineer's Daedalus-like designs were brilliant but fraught with risk.

Variants and Related Words

• Daedalic (adj): Pertaining to Daedalus or his skillful craftsmanship.
• Icarus (n): The son of Daedalus, who flew too close to the sun.
• Labyrinth (n): The complex maze built by Daedalus.

Synonyms

• Artificer: A skilled craftsman or inventor.
• Architect: A designer or maker of complex structures.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• "A Daedalian task": A task requiring great ingenuity and skill, often with a complex or risky nature.
  • Solving this cryptographic puzzle was a Daedalian task.
• "To fly too close to the sun": An idiom derived from the fate of Icarus, meaning to be ruined by excessive ambition or risk-taking. While directly about Icarus, it is intrinsically linked to the story of Daedalus.
  • The CEO flew too close to the sun with his reckless expansion plans.

Noun

1. (Greek mythology) an Athenian inventor who built the labyrinth of Minos; to escape the labyrinth he fashioned wings for himself and his son Icarus