Morpheus

[ mawr-fee-uhs, -fyoos ]

noun

1. Classical Mythology. a son of Hypnos and the god of dreams.

Morpheus

/ ˈmɔːfɪəs; -fjuːs /

noun

1. Greek myth the god of sleep and dreams

Morpheus

1. A Roman god of sleep and dreams.

Notes

The narcotic morphine was named after Morpheus.

Someone who is “in the arms of Morpheus” is asleep.

Derived Forms

• ˈMorphean, adjective

Other Words From

• Morphe·an adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Morpheus¹

1325–75; Middle English < Latin < Greek morph ( ḗ ) form + Latin -eus noun suffix; coined by Ovid, with allusion to the forms seen in dreams

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in the arms of Morpheus, asleep.

Example Sentences

Morpheus, who will appear in Resurrections where he’ll be played by Abdul-Mateen rather than Fishburne for reasons that will be revealed, was alive and well in Zion when the film trilogy ended.

From Time

Neo is able to live up to the prophecy, saving Morpheus’ life and defeating Agent Smith—the first time anybody has ever gone toe-to-toe with an Agent and lived.

From Time

The Matrix Revolutions, released later in 2003, begins with Neo trapped in a sort of limbo between the real world and the Matrix, though Morpheus and Trinity are able to free him.

From Time

Tom Sturridge snagged the coveted role of Morpheus, Lord of the Dreaming, no doubt due in part to his well-sculpted cheekbones.

From Ars Technica

As I've written previously, the titular "sandman" is Dream, aka Morpheus, among other names.

From Ars Technica

Meanwhile, Project Morpheus is designed and optimized for one system.

From The Daily Beast

Project Morpheus developers will be able to guarantee a consistent experience for every user; Rift developers will not.

From The Daily Beast

And in part that is thanks to Joffe, who has emerged as a kind of Morpheus-like figure.

From The Daily Beast

Near Somnus sits Morpheus, one of his many sons, who watches over his slumbers and sees that no one shall break in upon his sleep.

From Project Gutenberg

Long before the glowing god made its appearance in the east, Bob was rudely yanked from the arms of Morpheus.

From Project Gutenberg

He had gone through so much he was tired and scarcely had he touched the sheets when the welcoming arms of Morpheus claimed him.

From Project Gutenberg

The party dispersed, and Miles was soon in the arms of Morpheus; he had fallen asleep making an eloquent appeal to the chair.

From Project Gutenberg

This proceeding always had the effect of giving me the desired sleep upon my again wooing Morpheus.

From Project Gutenberg