Dictionary

Sapphic en · ADJ

Pronunciation

• /ˈsæf.ɪk/ (UK, US)
• (Southern-England) audio

Etymology

Sappho (Ancient Greek Σαπφώ (Sapphṓ)) + -ic, whence Latin Sapphicus. Sense related to sexuality alludes to Sappho's poetry discussing love between women (see also lesbian).

Meanings

1. (not-comparable) Relating to the Greek poetess Sappho from Lesbos or her poetry.
2. (not-comparable) Of a certain kind of verse reputed to have been invented by Sappho, consisting of five metrical feet, of which the first, fourth, and fifth are trochees, the second is a spondee, and the third a dactyl.
3. (alt-of, not-comparable) Alternative letter-case form of sapphic.
   alt of sapphic

Forms

Deriveds

sapphically

Relateds

sapphism · sapphist

Translations (8)

hu szapphói (relating to the Greek poetess Sappho or her poetry) · ga Safach (relating to the Greek poetess Sappho or her poetry) · pt sáfico (relating to the Greek poetess Sappho or her poetry) · es lesbio (relating to the Greek poetess Sappho or her poetry) · es sáfico (relating to the Greek poetess Sappho or her poetry) · fi sapfolainen (relating to the Greek poetess Sappho or her poetry) · fr saphique (relating to the Greek poetess Sappho or her poetry) · pl saficki (relating to the Greek poetess Sappho or her poetry)

Sapphic en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• /ˈsæf.ɪk/ (UK, US)
• (Southern-England) audio

Etymology

Sappho (Ancient Greek Σαπφώ (Sapphṓ)) + -ic, whence Latin Sapphicus. Sense related to sexuality alludes to Sappho's poetry discussing love between women (see also lesbian).

Meanings

1. A Sapphic verse.
   • The first line (which goes by the name of Aristophanes) is a Sapphic without the initial trochees. 1887, Horace, Horace: The Odes, Carmen Seculare, and Epodes, page 174:
   • His Sapphics, on the story of Bacchus and Ariadne, are easy, elegant, and poetical. 1824, Vicesimus Knox, The Works of Vicesimus Knox, D.D.: With a Biographical Preface:
   • "A real Sapphic," said Crane, dropping into a poetical tone, as an elocutionist does when he is hungry for an opportunity to recite a favorite sketch. 1888, Maurice Thompson, A Fortnight of Folly, page 41:
2. A person who is sapphic.
   • There are many of us (yes, even in Utah) who are more style-conscious, socially involved and culturally aware Sapphics than the common opinion dictates. 2011 March 17, Annalisa Millo, “A great year for lesbians”, in QSaltake, number 176, page 33:
   • 'Very good,” he said, 'although I must confess that the older I get, the less I am able to enjoy the company of women – except of course our own dear Enid who is so notorious a Sapphic as to be virtually hors concours. 2004, Simon Callow, Being an Actor, page 9:
   • Are you a fan of hate-to-love? Roommates? Royalty romances? Geology puns? Sapphics? Her Royal Highness has all of this and more. After Millie discovers her best friend turned maybe girlfriend kissing someone else, she decides to flee […] 2019 Summer, Gretal M. (19), review of Her Royal Highness, by Rachel Hawkins in The Chuckanut Reader, page 71

Forms

Relateds

WLW · lesbian