pyrrhic

¹

[ pir-ik ]

adjective

1. consisting of two short or unaccented syllables.
2. composed of or pertaining to pyrrhics.

noun

1. Also called dibrach. a pyrrhic foot.

pyrrhic

²

[ pir-ik ]

noun

1. an ancient Greek warlike dance in which the motions of actual warfare were imitated.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or denoting this dance.

Pyrrhic

³

[ pir-ik ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or resembling Pyrrhus, king of Epirus, or his costly victory.

pyrrhic

¹

/ ˈpɪrɪk /

noun

1. a metrical foot of two short or unstressed syllables

adjective

1. of or relating to such a metrical foot
2. (of poetry) composed in pyrrhics

pyrrhic

²

/ ˈpɪrɪk /

noun

1. a war dance of ancient Greece

adjective

1. of or relating to this dance

Word History and Origins

Origin of pyrrhic¹

1620–30; < Latin pyrrhichius < Greek pyrrhíchios pertaining to the pyrrhíchē pyrrhic ²

Origin of pyrrhic²

1590–1600; < Latin pyrrhicha < Greek pyrrhíchē a dance; said to be named after Pyrrhichus, the inventor

Origin of pyrrhic³

First recorded in 1880–85; Pyrrh(us) + -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of pyrrhic¹

C16: via Latin, from Greek purrhikhē, traditionally said to be named after its inventor Purrhikhos

Origin of pyrrhic²

C17: Latin from Greek purrhikhios belonging to the purrhikhē war dance performed in armour; see pyrrhic ¹

Example Sentences

Its pyrrhic victory on the eastern front was fundamental, like the western front Allied assault that followed D-Day, in bringing Nazi Germany to its knees.

From BBC

Or, remaining atomized, they may try to reclaim individual power in pyrrhic victories over others through domestic violence, bullying, mass shootings, and terrorism.

From Salon

Gen. Saltzman said that the U.S. military wants to avoid a pyrrhic victory if war breaks out in space.

From Washington Times

This pyrrhic maneuver backfired in Canada, where the liberal government approved its Online News Act on June 22 despite the threats.

From Seattle Times

But the live video feed the artillery gunners watch intently, from a drone flying above the city, suggests that even if Russia can finally wrestle control, it would be little more than a pyrrhic victory.

From BBC