Definition

Noun 1. (Roman mythology) The goddess of the Moon; counterpart of Greek Selene. - In Roman religion, Luna is the divine personification of the Moon. She is often depicted driving a chariot across the night sky.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The ancient Romans worshipped Luna as a powerful celestial deity.
  • In the mosaic, Luna is shown with a crescent moon crown.
  • The temple was dedicated to Luna, the goddess of the moon.

Advanced Usage

• "Luna" in Literary Contexts: The name is sometimes used poetically or allusively to refer to the moon itself.
  • The ship sailed under the watchful eye of Luna.
• Cultural Reference: Luna is the direct Roman equivalent of the Greek goddess Selene. This counterpart relationship is a standard reference in classical studies.

Variants and Related Words

• Lunar (adj): Of, relating to, or resembling the moon.
  • The lunar cycle.
• Lunacy (n): Originally meaning insanity believed to be caused by the moon's phases; now means foolish or wild behavior.
  • His plan was sheer lunacy.
• Lunatic (n/adj): (Archaic) A person considered mentally ill, historically associated with the moon's influence; (modern) wildly foolish person.
  • He was driving like a lunatic.

Synonyms

• Selene: (Greek mythology) The goddess of the moon.
• Moon goddess: A general term for a deity associated with the moon.

Related Phrases

• Luna moth: A large, pale green North American moth (), named for its moon-like eyespots.
• Luna sea: A poetic or fanciful term, not a standard phrasal verb, but seen in artistic works (e.g., the or "Sea of Serenity" on the moon).

Related Idioms

• By the light of the silvery moon: A common phrase in songs and poetry, indirectly referencing Luna's domain.
• Lunatic fringe: A group of people whose views are considered extreme or eccentric, derived from the historical connection between the moon ("luna") and madness ("lunacy").

Noun

1. (Roman mythology) the goddess of the Moon; counterpart of Greek Selene