Cadmean victory

noun

: a victory obtained only at great or ruinous cost to the victor compare pyrrhic victory

Word History

Etymology

translation of Greek Kadmeia nikē; from the mutual slaughter of all but five of the armed men who sprang from dragon's teeth sown by Cadmus

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined above

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Rhymes for Cadmean victory

• contradictory
• valedictory