diana
/dai'ænə/
Definition
- Proper noun:
- (Roman mythology) Virgin goddess of the hunt and the Moon: In Roman mythology, Diana is the goddess of hunting, wild animals, woodland, and the Moon. She is the Roman counterpart of the Greek goddess Artemis. She is traditionally depicted as a virgin huntress carrying a bow and arrow.
- English aristocrat (1961-1997): Diana, Princess of Wales, was a prominent member of the British royal family as the first wife of Charles, Prince of Wales. Her life and death in a car accident in Paris were the focus of intense global media attention and public mourning.
Examples of Usage
Proper noun (Mythology):
- The ancient temple was dedicated to Diana, the goddess of the hunt.
- In the myth, Diana transformed Actaeon into a stag for seeing her bathing.
Proper noun (Historical Figure):
- Princess Diana was renowned for her humanitarian work with landmine victims.
- The public's affection for Diana remained strong long after her death.
Advanced Usage
- "Diana complex": A psychoanalytic term, though less common, sometimes used to describe a woman's identification with traditionally masculine traits of autonomy and aggression, analogous to the goddess Diana.
- Her fierce independence led some to joke she had a Diana complex.
Variants and Related Words
- Artemis (Proper noun): The Greek goddess equivalent to the Roman Diana.
- Cynthia (Proper noun): Another name for Artemis/Diana, meaning "of Mount Cynthus," often used in poetry.
- Dianic (Adjective): Pertaining to the goddess Diana. Sometimes used in modern contexts relating to feminist spirituality or Wiccan traditions focused on the goddess.
Synonyms
- Goddess of the hunt: A descriptive synonym for the mythological figure.
- The People's Princess: A common epithet for Diana, Princess of Wales, highlighting her popular appeal.
Related Phrases
- Temple of Diana: Refers to historical sites of worship, most famously the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus (one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World), which was dedicated to her Greek counterpart.
- Diana's bow: A poetic reference to the crescent moon, symbolizing her role as moon goddess.
Related Idioms
- To be a Diana: An archaic or literary idiom meaning to be a chaste huntress or a woman who shuns marriage.
- In the novel, the character vowed to be a Diana and never wed.
Noun
-
(Roman mythology) virgin goddess of the hunt and the Moon; counterpart of Greek Artemis
-
English aristocrat who was the first wife of Prince Charles; her death in an automobile accident in Paris produced intense national mourning (1961-1997)
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