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sibyl

noun, often capitalized
sib·​yl | \ ˈsi-bÉ™l How to pronounce sibyl (audio) \

Definition of sibyl

1 : any of several prophetesses usually accepted as 10 in number and credited to widely separate parts of the ancient world (such as Babylonia, Egypt, Greece, and Italy)
2a : prophetess
b : fortune-teller
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Other Words from sibyl

sibylic or sibyllic \ sÉ™-​ˈbi-​lik How to pronounce sibyllic (audio) \ adjective
sibylline \ ˈsi-​bÉ™-​ËŒlÄ«n How to pronounce sibylline (audio) , -​ËŒlÄ“n \ adjective

Did You Know?

Ancient writers refer to the existence of various women in such countries as Babylonia, Greece, Italy, and Egypt, through whom the gods regularly spoke. These sibyls were easy to confuse with the oracles, women who were likewise mouthpieces of the gods, at such sites as Apollo's temple at Delphi. The most famous sibyl was the Sibyl of Cumae in Italy, a withered crone who lived in a cave. Her prophecies were collected into twelve books, three of which survived to be consulted by the Romans in times of national emergencies. She is one of the five sibyls memorably depicted by Michelangelo on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.

First Known Use of sibyl

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for sibyl

Middle English sibile, sybylle, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French sibile, from Latin sibylla, from Greek

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Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with sibyl

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sibyl

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