Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • proper noun A famous courtesan of Ancient Greece (4th century BC).

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

The courtesan's name, Φρύνη (Phrunē), originally derives from the Ancient Greek word for φρύνη (phrunē, "toad").

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word Phryne.

Examples

  • Such a rite, though probably in fact quite innocent, gave rise to suspicions, of which Demosthenes takes full advantage; and the fact that well-known courtesans (such as Phryne and perhaps Ninus) sometimes organized such 'mysteries' would lend colour to the suspicions.

    The Public Orations of Demosthenes, volume 2 384 BC-322 BC Demosthenes 1912

  • Both were sold, the "Phryne" for five thousand pounds, the "Soul of the Wood" for four thousand, and I had brought from abroad many unfinished sketches and partly finished pictures.

    Five Nights Victoria Cross 1910

  • The "Phryne" and the "Soul of the Wood" had been finished and accepted for exhibition.

    Five Nights Victoria Cross 1910

  • I've been reading the Phryne Fisher books by Kerry Greenwood and really enjoying them.

    June 6th, 2007 2007

  • No one scares Phryne away so she goes to the gala.

    Murder in the Dark-Kerry Greenwood « The Merry Genre Go Round Reviews 2008

  • Phryne considers declining the invitation until she receives letters and a Christmas present containing a poisonous snake in the post that threaten her if she attends.

    Murder in the Dark-Kerry Greenwood « The Merry Genre Go Round Reviews 2008

  • These clasps released, in older times, the lovely bosom of Phryne; and they now belong to one who could do better homage to the beauties they concealed or discovered than could the cynic Diogenes.

    Count Robert of Paris 2008

  • No one messes with kick butt Phryne whether it is threatening her by post, behaving boorishly towards her at a party, or committing murder.

    Murder in the Dark-Kerry Greenwood « The Merry Genre Go Round Reviews 2008

  • As Phryne and Nicholas Booth, who she has just met and believes is an undercover cop, investigates, she realizes someone has been hired to assassinate the sibling hosts.

    Murder in the Dark-Kerry Greenwood « The Merry Genre Go Round Reviews 2008

  • Phryne on the walls of Thebes, Phryne fecit; this causeth so many bloody battles, — Et noctes cogit vigilare serenas; and induces us to watch during calm nights.

    Anatomy of Melancholy 2007

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.