Dictionary

Euterpean en · ADJ

Etymology

From Euterpe + -an.

Meanings

1. Of or pertaining to the mythological figure Euterpe, or to music.
   • Popular melodies float gently through the summer air, and on your quay at Dumbledowndeary you have, in addition to the opportunity for improvement in the Euterpean art, the gratification of being exempted from the periodical visits of the trombone player on board; 1852, Charles Dickens, Household Words - Volume 14, page 89:
   • The music of England is rich in historical reminiscence, and its most accomplished rulers have been votaries to the Euterpean muse. 1851, Eleanor Margaret Geary, Musical education, page 65:
   • G. P. REED is well known to the patrons and professors of Music in the Euterpean city of Boston. 1848, The Stranger's Guide in the City of Boston, page 59:

Forms

Euterpean en · NOUN

Etymology

From Euterpe + -an.

Meanings

1. A member of one of the various Euterpean clubs or societies.
   • "And the worst is," Mrs. Goldenstein continued, conscious for the first time of the Euterpeans, "mein Celie don't need no books, because she comes home to morrow." 1915, The American Magazine - Volume 80, page 41:
   • Up to January 1, 1892, of the three hundred and eighty-eight college students who had attended Muhlenberg, two hundred were Euterpeans. 1892, S. E. Ochsenford, Muhlenberg College, page 150:
   • The Euterpeans scheduled their first performance for Christmas day when a double bill of The Hough Diamond and Family Pictures was to be presented. 1954, Jack Harlan Yocum, A History of Theatre in Houston, 1836-1954 - Volume 2, page 400:
   • The hearts and souls of all Euterpeans Are true and strong for all that's good forever 1928, Claude Davis Curtis, Three Quarters of a Century at Martha Washington College, page 72:
   • Although his meaning is uncertain, he likened the "principles" of the Euterpeans to those of the Adelphics of 1805 – another abortive attempt to create a third society. 1974, Steven J. Novak, The Rights of Youth, page 52:

Forms

Euterpean en · PROPN

Etymology

From Euterpe + -an.

Meanings

1. Any of various musical, theatre, or literary societies, especially the Euterpean Society (A New York instrumentalist society and considered the oldest American musical society, active from 1799 to 1846).
   • The renowned "Philharmonic Society" of the present day was evolved from the "Euterpean”. 1886, The City of Milwaukee, page 16:
   • The two most influential literary societies at Muhlenberg, the Euterpean and the Sophronian, were organized only seven days after the official opening of the institution in September of 1867. 1950, College and Research Libraries - Volumes 11-16, page 184:
   • Before the end of the first quarter of the 19th century there were in existence, besides the Euterpean, a Philharmonic Society and the Concordia, clubs of singers and instrumentalists, the former English in its constitution, the latter predominantly German. 1911, George Grove, John Alexander Fuller-Maitland, Waldo Selden Pratt, Grove's Dictionary of Music and Musicians - Volume 3, page 367:
   • He is, on the whole, not better satisfied with the work done by the “Euterpean." This society was considered as perhaps the oldest musical society in the United States. 1890, Frédéric Louis Ritter, Music in America, page 223:
2. Euterpean Hall, a theatre in New York City, on the east side of Broadway, near Walker Street, which later became the Broadway Theatre.
   • Such authority as his is now rare, for, beginning as a small boy at the Euterpean in its earliest days, he has heard every singer and musical artist of importance up to to-day's symphony concert. 1878, “Music in New York Thirty Years Ago”, in Harper's New Monthly Magazine, volume 57, page 113:
   • Occasionally he took Sunday morning service for Mrs. Riddle at Euterpean Hall, when she was weary of curing rheumatism or when she was suffering from rheumatism; and always he had to be at Euterpean to give spiritual assistance. 1926, Sinclair Lewis, Elmer Gantry:
   • The business done at the Euterpean was very shy, and the prospect of any of the company — among whom, by-the-by, was Blakely, an old Park actor, as well as a National — was very doubtful. 1851, William Knight Northall, Before and Behind the Curtain, page 170: