Delphic

[ del-fik ]

adjective

1. of or relating to Delphi.
2. of or relating to Apollo, or to his temples or oracles.
3. (often lowercase) oracular; obscure; ambiguous:

   She was known for her Delphic pronouncements.

Delphic

/ ˈdɛlfɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to Delphi or its oracle or temple
2. obscure or ambiguous

Other Words From

• delphi·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of Delphic¹

1590–1600; < Latin Delphicus < Greek Delphikós, equivalent to Delph ( oí ) Delphi + -ikos -ic

Example Sentences

The judge’s forlorn prediction is a safe one given the Supreme Court’s Delphic opinion and the Justice Department’s subsequent superseding indictment in the case.

From Los Angeles Times

The court’s fairly Delphic order retains a stay on the case pending its consideration of the merits, with oral arguments scheduled for the week of April 22.

From Los Angeles Times

The multiple frame photography and video works, lavishly textured and devotionally rendered, operate as Delphic objects, portals to nature.

From New York Times

He must go to the Taurian country, the Delphic priestess said, and bring away the sacred image of Artemis from her temple.

From Literature

Its king, Oedipus, desperate to understand why the gods have called such a plague down upon his realm, sends an emissary to the famed Delphic Oracle to find out.

From Salon

Related Words

• ambiguous
• arcane
• enigmatic
• equivocal
• incomprehensible
• mysterious
• strange
• vague
• veiled