sapphic

1 of 2

adjective

sap·​phic ˈsa-fik 

1

capitalized : of or relating to the Greek lyric poet Sappho

2

: of, relating to, or consisting of a 4-line strophe made up of chiefly trochaic and dactylic feet

3

: lesbian sense 1

sapphic

2 of 2

noun

1

: a verse having the metrical pattern of one of the first three lines of a sapphic strophe

2

: a sapphic strophe

Did you know?

Sapphic and Greek Poet Sappho

The poet Sappho wrote poems of self-reflection but also of passion, some of it directed to the women attending the school she conducted on the Greek island of Lesbos around 600 B.C. Even though most of the poems survive only as fragments, they have been greatly admired for many centuries. They were written in an original rhythmical pattern, which has become known as sapphic verse. Later admirers, such as the Roman poets Catullus and Horace, honored her by adopting the sapphic meter for their own poetry. Because of Sappho, the island of Lesbos also gave its name to lesbianism, which writers often used to call sapphic love.

Examples of sapphic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Natasha Lyonne stars as Megan Bloomfield, the cheerleader in question, in this iconic piece of sapphic pop culture. —James Factora, Them, 12 Oct. 2024

The other founder, fearlessly sapphic writer Elsa Gidlow, published America’s first volume of openly lesbian love poetry. —Damian Panetta, The Mercury News, 8 Oct. 2024

Noun

While secure and permanent physical spaces for sapphics are necessary in all of Latin America, the reality is that community should always come first. —Sofia Viera, refinery29.com, 24 Sep. 2024

While creating safe physical spaces made explicitly for Latina lesbians and other sapphics is important, the main goal is to come together to strengthen community via compassion and acceptance — leaving behind transphobia and identity policing. —Sofia Viera, refinery29.com, 24 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1501, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

sapphic

adjective or noun

sap·​phic ˈsaf-ik 

: lesbian