phiale

[ fahy-uh-lee ]

noun

, Greek and Roman Antiquity.

, plural phi·a·lae [fahy, -, uh, -lee], phi·a·lai [fahy, -, uh, -lahy].

1. a shallow cup resembling a saucer, having a central boss and sometimes set upon a foot, used as a drinking vessel or to pour libations.

Word History and Origins

Origin of phiale¹

From the Greek word phiálē phial

Example Sentences

In 1997, a federal judge ruled that Mr. Steinhardt had illegally imported a golden bowl, known as a phiale, from Italy in 1992.

From New York Times

Sicilian officials now say that two star attractions — a dramatic six-foot-tall statue of a charioteer and an immaculate gold libation bowl, or phiale — should not travel to Cleveland because their absence is depriving Sicily of tourist dollars.

From New York Times

Getty officials said they are pursuing the matter through diplomatic channels with the Italian government but that it would be up to Cleveland to determine if it still wants to host the exhibition without the charioteer and the phiale.

From New York Times

Those negotiations stalled, both sides agree, over terms requested this year by Antonino Zichichi, Ms. Sgarlata’s predecessor, who sought the museum’s help in promoting contemporary Sicilian art and asked them not to send the charioteer and the phiale to Cleveland.

From New York Times

It was on the phiale or fountain of the outer court of this narthex that the famous palindromic inscription was placed: .

From Project Gutenberg