sciamachy

[ sahy-am-uh-kee ]

noun

, plural sci·am·a·chies.

1. an act or instance of fighting a shadow or an imaginary enemy.

sciamachy

/ saɪˈæməkɪ; skaɪˈæməkɪ /

noun

1. rare.
   a fight with an imaginary enemy

Word History and Origins

Origin of sciamachy¹

1615–25; < Greek skiamachía, equivalent to skiá shadow + -machia -machy

Word History and Origins

Origin of sciamachy¹

C17: from Greek skiamakhia a mock fight, from skia a shadow + makhesthai to fight

Example Sentences

Previously unpublished measurements of methane captured by Sentinel-5P and its predecessor Sciamachy show a worldwide increase in atmospheric levels of this potent greenhouse gas, particularly in industrialized countries and emerging economies.

From Washington Times

Together, these satellites will extend a continuous record of CO2 measurements that began in 2002 with SCIAMACHY, a spectrometer on the European Space Agency’s Envisat probe.

From Nature

"My life is grown a bore," said he, "One long round of sciamachy; I think I'll do a little good, By way of change from angelhood."

From Project Gutenberg