ennead

[ en-ee-ad ]

noun

1. a group of nine persons or things.
2. Egyptian Religion.
   1. (initial capital letter) a group of nine related deities, including Osiris, Isis, and Set, whose lineage and functions were arranged and explained by the theologians of Heliopolis.
   2. any group of deities arranged in a similar way, often more or less than nine in number.

ennead

/ ˈɛnɪˌæd /

noun

1. a group or series of nine
2. the sum of or number nine

Derived Forms

• ˌenneˈadic, adjective

Other Words From

• enne·adic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ennead¹

1645–55; < Greek ennead- (stem of enneás ), equivalent to enné ( a ) nine + -ad- -ad ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of ennead¹

C17: from Greek enneas, from ennea nine

Example Sentences

An ennead could mean any group of nine deities that operate together, but the most well known is the Great Ennead of Heliopolis.

From Los Angeles Times

A group of nine is called an ennead.

From BBC

The number Nine, or the ennead, being the multiple of three, should be regarded as sacred.

From Project Gutenberg

His arrangement by enneads, or series of nine, is fanciful, and wanting in inner principle.

From Project Gutenberg

Generally there are three; in many places there is an ennead, a nine of gods, but the nine is a round number; there might be one or two less or more.

From Project Gutenberg