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Alpheus

noun

Al·​phe·​us al-ˈfē-əs How to pronounce Alpheus (audio)
: a Greek river-god who pursues the nymph Arethusa and is finally united with her

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from Greek Alpheios

First Known Use

1567, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Alpheus was in 1567

Rhymes for Alpheus

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Browse Nearby Words

Alpheratz
Alpheus
alphitomorphous
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Cite this Entry

“Alpheus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Alpheus. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

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Geographical Definition

Alpheus

geographical name

Al·​phe·​us al-ˈfē-əs How to pronounce Alpheus (audio)
variants or Modern Greek Alfiós
äl-ˈfyȯs How to pronounce Alpheus (audio)
river of southern Greece about 75 miles (121 kilometers) long in the western part of the Peloponnese flowing northwest into the Ionian Sea

More from Merriam-Webster on Alpheus

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about Alpheus

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