scyphus
/'saifəs/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- An ancient Greek drinking cup: A specific type of drinking vessel from ancient Greece, typically characterized by having two handles and a footed base.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The archaeologist carefully excavated a delicate scyphus from the ruins.
- In the museum's collection, the Attic black-figure scyphus is considered a masterpiece.
Advanced Usage
- The term scyphus is used primarily in historical, archaeological, and classical studies contexts to describe this particular artifact.
- In botanical terminology, scyphus can refer to a small cup-shaped structure in some flowers, though this is a distinct and specialized meaning.
Variants and Related Words
- Scyphi (n): The plural form of scyphus.
- Skyphos (n): An alternative transliteration from the Greek (σκύφος), referring to the same type of cup.
Synonyms
- Drinking cup: A general term for a vessel from which one drinks.
- Goblet: A drinking glass with a foot and stem, though not necessarily with two handles.
- Chalice: A large cup or goblet, typically used for drinking wine.
Notes on Meaning
- The primary and most common meaning of scyphus is the ancient Greek two-handled cup. The botanical meaning is a separate, technical usage.
- This word is a specialized term and is not commonly used in everyday modern English.
Noun
- an ancient Greek drinking cup; two handles and footed base