Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Python
Py′thon
,Noun.
[NL., fr. L.
Python
the serpent slain near Delphi by Apollo, Gr. [GREEK].] 1.
(Zool.)
Any species of very large snakes of the genus
Python
, and allied genera, of the family Pythonidæ
. They are nearly allied to the boas. Called also rock snake
. ☞ The pythons have small pelvic bones, or anal spurs, two rows of subcaudal scales, and pitted labials. They are found in Africa, Asia, and the East Indies.
2.
A diviner by spirits.
“[Manasses] observed omens, and appointed pythons.” 4 Kings xxi. 6 (Douay version).
Definition 2024
Python
Python
See also: python
Translingual
Python reticulatus at postprandial rest
Etymology
From Ancient Greek Πύθων (Púthōn), from Πῡθώ (Pūthṓ), the early name of Delphi, from πυθώ (puthṓ, “to rot, to decay”).
Proper noun
Python m
- A taxonomic genus within the family Boidae – the pythons, very large constricting snakes of the Old World tropics.
Hypernyms
- (genus): Reptilia - class; Eureptilia, Romeriida - clades; Diapsida - subclass; Lepidosauromorpha - infraclass; Lepidosauria - superorder; Squamata - order; Serpentes - suborder; Booidea - superfamily; Boidae - family; Boinae - subfamily
Hyponyms
English
Proper noun
Python
- (Greek mythology) The earth-dragon of Delphi, represented as a serpent, killed by Apollo.
- 1995, Gordon MacDonald Kirkwood, A Short Guide to Classical Mythology, page 11,
- Here Apollo killed a serpent called the Python, and established a great prophetic shrine. Sometimes it is said that the Titaness Themis had the shrine before him, and this, as well as the killing of the Python, suggests that Apollo took over a place already of religious significance, associated with chthonic (i.e., earth) powers.
- 2000, Otar Lordkipanidze, Phasis: The River and City in Colchis, page 70,
- It would seem, therefore, that what we have on the Phasian phiale is the Python coiled round the omphalos. […] Paintings on Greek pottery and coins have preserved many an example of gods seated on an omphalos, including those of Apollo, Nike, Asclepius and others.413Python on the omphalos must have carried some symbolic meaning.
- 2005, M. A. Dwight, Taylor Lewis, Grecian and Roman Mythology, page 183,
- Python, says Bailey, is derived from Putho to putrify, and the serpent Python being slain by Apollo, is thus interpreted: by Python is understood the ruin of the waters; Apollo slew this serpent with his arrows; that is, the beams of the sun dispersed the noxious vapours, which destroyed man like a devouring serpent.
- 1995, Gordon MacDonald Kirkwood, A Short Guide to Classical Mythology, page 11,
- (computing) A high-level interpreted programming language invented by Guido van Rossum
- (informal) The British comedy troupe Monty Python.
- A member of the comedy troupe Monty Python: Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones or Michael Palin; referred to collectively as The Pythons.
- John Cleese is perhaps the best-known of the Pythons.
Related terms
Translations
Greek mythology
A programming language
See also
Anagrams
German
Pronunciation
Noun
Python m (genitive Pythons, plural Pythons)
- python (snake)
Noun
Python n (genitive Python, no plural)
Italian
Proper noun
Python m
- Python programming language
Portuguese
Proper noun
Python m
- Python programming language
Spanish
Proper noun
Python m
- Python programming language
python
python
See also: Python
English
A python constricting a goat.
Noun
python (plural pythons)
- A type of large constricting snake.
Translations
constricting snake
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Anagrams
Latin
Etymology
From the name of a snake slain at Delphi
Pronunciation
- (Classical) IPA(key): /ˈpyː.tʰon/, [ˈpyː.tʰõ]
Noun
pȳthon f (genitive pȳthōnis); third declension
Inflection
Third declension.
| Case | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | pȳthon | pȳthōnēs |
| genitive | pȳthōnis | pȳthōnum |
| dative | pȳthōnī | pȳthōnibus |
| accusative | pȳthōnem | pȳthōnēs |
| ablative | pȳthōne | pȳthōnibus |
| vocative | pȳthon | pȳthōnēs |