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pyrrhic

noun
pyr·​rhic | \ ˈpir-ik How to pronounce pyrrhic (audio) \

Definition of pyrrhic

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: a metrical foot consisting of two short or unaccented syllables

Pyrrhic

adjective
Pyr·​rhic | \ ˈpir-ik How to pronounce Pyrrhic (audio) \

Definition of Pyrrhic (Entry 2 of 2)

: achieved at excessive cost a Pyrrhic victory also : costly to the point of negating or outweighing expected benefits a great but Pyrrhic act of ingenuity

First Known Use of pyrrhic

Noun

1610, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1675, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for pyrrhic

Noun

Latin pyrrhichius, from Greek (pous) pyrrhichios, from pyrrhichē, a kind of dance

Adjective

Pyrrhus, king of Epirus who sustained heavy losses in defeating the Romans

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More from Merriam-Webster on pyrrhic

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with pyrrhic

Spanish Central: Translation of pyrrhic

Nglish: Translation of pyrrhic for Spanish Speakers

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