Definition

Proper noun 1. A Greek island in the Ionian Sea: Ithaki is an island located to the west of mainland Greece. It is traditionally identified as the homeland of the legendary hero Odysseus in Homer's epic poems.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • The ferry sailed from Patras to the port of Ithaki.
  • Many tourists visit Ithaki to see locations mentioned in the Odyssey.

Advanced Usage

• In classical and literary contexts: The name "Ithaki" is almost exclusively used in historical, geographical, and literary discussions, particularly those relating to Homer's .
  • Scholars have long debated the exact location of Homer's Ithaki.

Variants and Related Words

• Ithaca: This is the more common Latinized and Anglicized spelling of the island's name.
  • He wrote a poem about his return to Ithaca.

Synonyms

• Homeland (of Odysseus): When used in its legendary context.
• Kingdom of Odysseus: A descriptive synonym within Homeric legend.

Notes on Meaning

• The primary meaning is geographical, referring to the actual island.
• Its secondary and highly significant meaning is mythological/literary, representing the central goal of Odysseus's long journey in Homer's . It symbolizes home, kingship, and the endpoint of a quest.

Noun

1. a Greek island to the west of Greece; in Homeric legend Odysseus was its king