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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
Andy Swift, TVLine, 14 Mar. 2025
Its melancholy lyrics centered around a Greek myth in which the satyr, Marsyas, challenges the god Apollo to a music contest, and for his hubris, ends up skinned alive.
—Meaghan Garvey, Pitchfork, 13 Mar. 2025
Alongside flute-piping satyrs, they’re engaged in a wild, ritualistic dance, while shellfish, eels, squid and poultry dangle above them.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Feb. 2025
Originally, the creature was thought to have come from the old pre-Christian myths involving beasts from the forest and creatures such as satyrs, Krampus became linked with St Nicholas in the Middle Ages, the site said.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 4 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Satyr.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/satyr. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
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satyr
noun
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