ithyphallic

[ ith-uh-fal-ik ]

adjective

1. of or relating to the phallus carried in ancient festivals of Bacchus.
2. grossly indecent; obscene.
3. Classical Prosody. noting or pertaining to any of several meters employed in hymns sung in Bacchic processions.

noun

1. a poem in ithyphallic meter.
2. an indecent poem.

ithyphallic

/ ˌɪθɪˈfælɪk /

adjective

1. prosody (in classical verse) of or relating to the usual metre in hymns to Bacchus
2. of or relating to the phallus carried in the ancient festivals of Bacchus
3. (of sculpture and graphic art) having or showing an erect penis

noun

1. prosody a poem in ithyphallic metre

Word History and Origins

Origin of ithyphallic¹

1605–15; < Late Latin īthyphallicus < Greek īthyphallikós, equivalent to īthý ( s ) straight, erect + phall ( ós ) phallus + -ikos -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of ithyphallic¹

C17: from Late Latin, from Greek ithuphallikos, from ithuphallos erect phallus, from ithus straight + phallos phallus

Example Sentences

A composite metre, an anapaestic paroemiac followed by a trochaic ithyphallic.

From Project Gutenberg

The ithyphallic, which was marked by a succession of three trochees at the end of the line, was the most distinguished.

From Project Gutenberg

Ithyphallic, ith-i-fal′ik, adj. pertaining to certain rites: obscene.

From Project Gutenberg

No ithyphallic 165images or figures of gods have been found.

From Project Gutenberg

Represented as ithyphallic, with two tall plumes on his head, the right arm upraised and bearing a scourge.

From Project Gutenberg