satyr

noun

sa·tyr | \ ˈsā-tər

, chiefly British ˈsa-\

Definition of satyr

1 often capitalized : a sylvan deity in Greek mythology having certain characteristics of a horse or goat and fond of Dionysian revelry

2a : a lecherous man

b : one having satyriasis

3 : any of various satyrid butterflies

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Did You Know?

Satyrs, the minor forest gods of Greek mythology, had the face, torso, and arms of a man, the ears and tail of a goat, and two goatlike legs. Fond of the pleasures associated with Dionysus (or Bacchus), the god of wine, they were full of playful and sometimes violent energies, and spent much of their time chasing the beautiful nature spirits known as nymphs. Satyrs show up over and over in ancient art. The Greek god Pan, with his reed pipes and mischievous delight in life, had the appearance and character of a satyr but greater powers. Notice how satyr is pronounced; it's quite different from satire.

Examples of satyr in a Sentence

the legendary conquests of a suburban satyr

Recent Examples on the Web

The other exemplary work is a large bronze figure of an elderly drunken satyr sprawled atop a lion pelt and wineskin strewn across a rock. — Christopher Knight, latimes.com, "Review: Getty Villa’s ‘Buried by Vesuvius’ is exquisite and, at times, explicit," 3 July 2019 Like the imprints on the satyr’s hair, the coin’s patina has preserved the shapes of some fibres. — The Economist, "Buried metal artefacts gather stories on their surfaces," 4 July 2019 The satyr has recently emerged from the Getty’s adept conservation labs. — Christopher Knight, latimes.com, "Review: Getty Villa’s ‘Buried by Vesuvius’ is exquisite and, at times, explicit," 3 July 2019 Every good hero saga needs a sidekick, and Jorrel Javier fills the bill with hyperkinetic energy as the bumbling-but-loyal buddy Grover, a satyr who … um … talks to squirrels. — Dominic P. Papatola, Twin Cities, "Review: ‘The Lightning Thief’ strikes out, but performances shine," 20 June 2019 And that the mythological character Orchis, the son of a satyr and a nymph, was turned into a flower after his death. — Lawrence Osborne, Town & Country, "The Hidden Power of Orchids," 14 Apr. 2017 Others are scattered apparently randomly: an Athena here, a horse or a satyr there, among bulls’ heads, griffins, sphinxes, garden urns or busts of 5th-century B.C. Athenian philosopher Socrates and the 19th-century Greek poet Dionysios Solomos. — Washington Post, "Greek terracotta workshop produces an army of gods," 23 Dec. 2017 The natural world and its palliative force is further evoked by a lime-green velvet Gio Ponti chair that vaguely resembles a pea pod, and a black velvet Mark Brazier-Jones chaise longue with silver steel satyr feet. — Amanda Fortini, New York Times, "A Paris Boudoir Where Everything’s Meant to Be Touched," 12 Oct. 2017 Both vases sported the same depictions of a satyr pulling the Greek god of wine, Dionysis, in a cart. — Kelly Crow, WSJ, "Meet the Art World’s Antiquities Sleuth," 2 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'satyr.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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More Definitions for satyr

satyr

noun

English Language Learners Definition of satyr

: one of the forest gods in Greek mythology who have faces and bodies like men and ears, legs, and tails like goats

See the full definition for satyr in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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satyr

Definition of satyr

Other Words from satyr

Synonyms for satyr

Did You Know?

Examples of satyr in a Sentence

First Known Use of satyr

History and Etymology for satyr

English Language Learners Definition of satyr

satyr

Definition of satyr

Other Words from satyr

Synonyms for satyr

Did You Know?

Examples of satyr in a Sentence

First Known Use of satyr

History and Etymology for satyr

English Language Learners Definition of satyr

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