English

Proper noun

Cassandra

1. (Greek mythology) A prophetess who was daughter of King Priam of Troy and his queen Hecuba. She captured the eye of Apollo and was granted the ability to see the future; however, she was destined to never be believed.
   • 1897, Michael Clarke, The Story of Troy, page 30

     And so when Cassandra foretold the evils that were to come upon Troy, even her own people would not credit her words.

2. A female given name.
   • 1605 William Camden, Remains Concerning Britain, John Russell Smith, 1870, page 56

     But succeeding ages (little regarding S. Chrysosthome's admonition to the contrary) have recalled prophane names, so as now Diana, Cassandra, Hyppolytus, Venus, Lais, names of unhappy disaster are as rife, as ever they were in paganism.

   • 1890, Frederick W. Beers, Gazetteer and Biographical Record of Genesee County, N.Y., 1788–1890, page 656

     Warren J. Tyler, son of Joel, was born in Byron, July 28, 1828. He married Cassandra Tyler, of Stafford, and has four children living.

   • 2004 Torey Hayden, Twilight Children, HarperCollins UK (2013), ISBN 0007370865, Chapter 1:

     "What's your name?" I asked.

     "Cassandra."

     Ah, a mythical name. It fit with the fairy-tale looks.

   • 2013, M. C. Beaton, Miss Tonks Turns to Crime, chapter 4

     Cassandra sat down on a small sofa next to Mrs Budley.

Derived terms

• Cass
• Cassie
• Sandra

Translations

See also

• Jeremiah

Noun

Cassandra ‎(plural Cassandras)

1. A person who makes dire predictions, especially those which are not believed but which turn out to be true.
   • 1876-1877, "The New Republic", book III, chapter IV, page 46 in Belgravia: An Illustrated London Magazine, volume XXXI

     'By the way,' said Mr. Saunders […] , 'I suppose I may speak the truth freely, as I know well enough that all to whom my vaticinations would be unwelcome are sure to mistake me for a Cassandra.'

Synonyms

• (person who makes dire predictions): doomsayer
• See also Wikisaurus:oracle

Translations

Italian

Etymology

From Ancient Greek Κασσάνδρα ‎(Kassándra).

Proper noun

Cassandra f

1. (Greek mythology) Cassandra
2. A female given name

Italian

Noun

cassandra f ‎(plural cassandre)

1. storm petrel