Venus

noun

Ve·nus | \ ˈvē-nəs

How to pronounce Venus (audio)

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Definition of Venus

1 : the Roman goddess of love and beauty — compare aphrodite

2 : the planet second in order from the sun — see Planets Table

History and Etymology for Venus

Latin Vener-, Venus, deified abstraction from an originally neuter common noun venus "sexual desire, qualities exciting desire, charm"; akin to Sanskrit vanate "(s/he) likes, takes pleasure in," -vana- "loving," vāñchati "(s/he) desires, wishes," Old English wȳscan "to wish," wunian "to remain, dwell," Old Norse una "to be satisfied"

Note: Latin venus, as probably also Vedic Sanskrit vanas-, a hapax legomenon of uncertain meaning, is an s-stem derivative from a verbal base going back to Indo-European *wenH- "wish, desire," most likely distinct from *wen- "struggle, gain"; see win entry 1.

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Cite this Entry

“Venus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Venus. Accessed 11 Apr. 2021.

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More Definitions for Venus

Venus

noun

English Language Learners Definition of Venus

: the planet that is second in order from the sun

See the full definition for Venus in the English Language Learners Dictionary

Venus

noun

Ve·nus | \ ˈvē-nəs

\

Kids Definition of Venus

: the planet that is second in order of distance from the sun and has a diameter of about 7,500 miles (12,100 kilometers)

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