WORD OF THE DAY: Phoenix
[FEE-niks]
Part of speech: Noun
Origin: Greek, pre-12th century
Definitions: 1. (in classical mythology) a unique bird that lived for five or six centuries in the Arabian desert, after this time burning itself on a funeral pyre and rising from the ashes with renewed youth to live through another cycle. 2. A person or thing regarded as uniquely remarkable in some respect.
Examples of Phoenix in a sentence
” ‘In order to rise from its own ashes, a Phoenix first must burn.’ ― Octavia Butler”
“I used the phoenix as personal inspiration to recover from my setback.”
About Phoenix
As a common noun, “phoenix” is a mythological bird that lived for many centuries before burning and rising from the ashes into a new cycle of life. As a proper noun, “Phoenix” is the capital of Arizona, among many other geographical names. Then you could use the phrase “rise like a phoenix from the ashes” to refer to a figurative comeback or rebirth.
Did you Know?
The original phoenix appears in Ancient Greek folklore as a bird that rises from its own ashes into a new life. The name, imagery, and powers ascribed to the phoenix have shown up in countless legends across many cultures. It has even appeared in modern pop culture as a comic book character in X-Men and in the world of Harry Potter.
