mythopoeic

[ mith-uh-pee-ik ]

adjective

1. of or relating to the making of myths; causing, producing, or giving rise to myths.

mythopoeic

/ ˌmɪθəʊˈpiːɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to the composition of myths; productive of myths

Derived Forms

• ˌmythoˈpoeist, noun
• ˌmythoˈpoeism, noun

Other Words From

• mytho·poeism noun
• mytho·poeist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of mythopoeic¹

1840–50; < Greek mȳthopoi ( ós ) making tales ( mȳtho- mytho- + -poios making ( poi ( eîn ) to make + -os adj. suffix) + -ic

Example Sentences

Some people within the university will become mythopoeic creators of the new narrative of a national or political, coherent destiny.

From Salon

Like most big cosmic ideas, this one has almost certainly been purloined, ornamented and abused more than once in the vast works of mythopoeic bricolage which DC and Marvel, America’s main comic-book publishers, have provided to the world over the past decades.

From Economist

Gloria Steinem’s New York is a bit like everyone’s: a mythopoeic territory at the intersection of real estate, restaurants and workaholism, with bits of love, sex and ambition thrown in.

From New York Times

It takes us back, she later wrote, to ‘‘the warrior, of some mythopoeic time before weapons were invented.’’

From New York Times

Stephanie Feldman’s debut novel, “The Angel of Losses,” is a Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers selection, winner of the Crawford Fantasy Award, and a finalist for the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award.

From Salon