pleiad

noun ple·iad \ ˈplē-əd , ˈplā- , -ˌad , chiefly British ˈplī- \

Definition of pleiad

: a group of usually seven illustrious or brilliant persons or things

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Did You Know?

In Greek mythology, the Pleiades were the seven daughters of Atlas and Pleione who were changed into a conspicuous cluster of seven stars in the constellation Taurus. During the Renaissance, French speakers used Pléiade (from the singular form of Pleiades) as the name for an eminent group of seven tragic poets of ancient Alexandria. Later, the French word was also used as a sobriquet for a group of 16th-century French poets led by Pierre de Ronsard. Pleiad has been shining its light in English since about 1839.

Origin and Etymology of pleiad

French Pléiade, group of seven 16th century French poets, from Middle French, group of seven tragic poets of ancient Alexandria, from Greek Pleiad-, Pleias, from singular of Pleiades

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First Known Use: 1710

in the meaning defined above

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