| 释义 |
Cadmean, a.|kædˈmiːən|
Also Cadmian, -mæan.
[ad. L. Cadmēus, a. Gr. κηδµεῖος, f. κάδµος Cadmus.]
Pertaining to Cadmus, the legendary founder of Thebes in Bœotia, and introducer of the alphabet into Greece. Cadmean victory (Gr. καδµεία νίκη), ‘a victory involving one's own ruin’ (Liddell and Scott); usually associated with Thebes or the Thebans.
1603Holland Plutarch's Mor. 12 A Cadmian victorie, that is to say, which turneth to the detriment and losse of the winner. 1678Cudworth Intell. Syst. 146 Made them like the Cadmean Offspring, to do immediate Execution upon themselves. 1762Gentl. Mag. 430 Our conquests would prove Cadmean victories. 1821Shelley Prometh. Unb. iv, The cup Which Agave lifted up In the weird Cadmæan forest. 1868Tennyson Lucretius 50 Dragon warriors from Cadmean teeth. |