Definition

Noun 1. (Greek Mythology) A sea god: Nereus is a primordial sea deity in Greek mythology, known as the "Old Man of the Sea." He is the son of Pontus (the Sea) and Gaia (the Earth). He is characterized by his gentle nature, wisdom, and prophetic abilities, and he lives in the depths of the sea with his wife Doris and their many daughters, the Nereids.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • In the myth, Heracles wrestled Nereus to force him to reveal the location of the Garden of the Hesperides.
  • Nereus was often depicted as a kind and truthful god, unlike other, more tempestuous sea deities.
  • The poet describes Nereus rising from the Aegean waves.

Advanced Usage

• "The Nerean": A poetic or descriptive term relating to Nereus.
  • The hero sought the Nerean prophecy.
• Used as a personification of the sea's calm and wise aspects.
  • The sailors prayed for the mercy of Nereus, not the stormy wrath of Poseidon.

Variants and Related Words

• Nereid (noun): Any one of the sea nymph daughters of Nereus and Doris, often attendants of Poseidon.
  • Thetis, a Nereid, was the mother of Achilles.
• Nerean (adjective): Of or relating to Nereus or the Nereids.

Synonyms

• Sea god
• Old Man of the Sea (a title often used for Nereus and similar prophetic sea deities like Proteus)

Related Phrases and Idioms

• "As wise as Nereus": A literary allusion to his famed wisdom and knowledge.
  • The ancient mariner was said to be as wise as Nereus.
• "To seek Nereus": To seek profound, hidden, or prophetic knowledge from the depths.
  • The philosopher's quest was like seeking Nereus in an ocean of ignorance.

Noun

1. (Greek mythology) a sea god son of Pontus and Gaea; lived in the depths of the sea with his wife Doris and their daughters the Nereids