satyr

noun

sa·​tyr ˈsā-tər How to pronounce satyr (audio)
 chiefly British  ˈsa-
1
often capitalized : a sylvan deity in Greek mythology having certain characteristics of a horse or goat and fond of Dionysian revelry
2
a
: a lecherous man
b
: one having satyriasis
3
: any of various satyrid butterflies
satyric
sā-ˈtir-ik How to pronounce satyr (audio)
sə-
sa-
adjective

Did you know?

Satyrs, the minor forest gods of Greek mythology, had the face, torso, and arms of a man, the ears and tail of a goat, and two goatlike legs. Fond of the pleasures associated with Dionysus (or Bacchus), the god of wine, they were full of playful and sometimes violent energies, and spent much of their time chasing the beautiful nature spirits known as nymphs. Satyrs show up over and over in ancient art. The Greek god Pan, with his reed pipes and mischievous delight in life, had the appearance and character of a satyr but greater powers. Notice how satyr is pronounced; it's quite different from satire.

Examples of satyr in a Sentence

the legendary conquests of a suburban satyr
Recent Examples on the Web But when he’s attacked by a winged fury disguised as his pre-algebra teacher (Megan Mullally), Percy discovers that those daydreams are very much rooted in reality, and he’s soon sucked into a magical world of minotaurs, satyrs, and destiny. Devan Coggan, EW.com, 18 Dec. 2023 The Dresden picture features three satyrs—grinning rustics, horned and horny, who hope to make out with Diana’s accompanying huntswomen. Julian Bell, The New York Review of Books, 26 Dec. 2023 On a harrowing trek to Camp, the place where half-bloods are safely sequestered away from monsters, Percy grapples with his lineage and the news that Grover is actually a satyr, a horned forest spirit who’s been tasked with protecting him. Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 14 Dec. 2023 In these six states, only the Mitchell’s satyr Butterfly is currently protected but it is found in Alabama. Leada Gore | Lgore@al.com, al, 31 July 2023 That applies to only the Mitchell’s satyr Butterfly, found in Alabama. John Sharp | Jsharp@al.com, al, 6 Aug. 2023 Five birds and one insect, the Mitchell’s satyr butterfly. Dennis Pillion | Dpillion@al.com, al, 4 July 2023 In one particularly evocative small clay sculpture, two figures that may represent a satyr and a nymph are embracing. Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 23 June 2023 Steven Van Zandt has the mischievous glint of a satyr. Marco Della Cava, USA TODAY, 7 Apr. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'satyr.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin satyrus, from Greek satyros

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of satyr was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near satyr

Cite this Entry

“Satyr.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/satyr. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

satyr

noun
sa·​tyr ˈsāt-ər How to pronounce satyr (audio)
ˈsat-
1
often capitalized : a forest god believed by the ancient Greeks to have the ears and tail of a horse or goat and to enjoy rowdy pleasures
2
: a man having strong sexual desire

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