Erinyes: meaning, definitions and examples

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Erinyes

 

[ ɪˈrɪnɪˌiːz ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

mythology

In Greek mythology, the Erinyes were female deities of vengeance, also known as the Furies. They were born from the blood of Uranus when he was castrated by his son Cronus. The Erinyes were tasked with punishing those who had sworn false oaths or committed crimes, particularly matricide, patricide, and crimes against the gods.

Synonyms

Avenging Spirits, Furies

Examples of usage

  • The Erinyes pursued Orestes after he killed his mother, Clytemnestra.
  • According to legend, the Erinyes would torment wrongdoers until they repented for their crimes.

Translations

Translations of the word "Erinyes" in other languages:

🇵🇹 Erínias

🇮🇳 एरीनीज़

🇩🇪 Erinnyen

🇮🇩 Erinyes

🇺🇦 Еринії

🇵🇱 Erynie

🇯🇵 エリーニュス

🇫🇷 Érinyes

🇪🇸 Erinias

🇹🇷 Erinyeler

🇰🇷 에리니에스

🇸🇦 إرينيات

🇨🇿 Erinye

🇸🇰 Erinye

🇨🇳 厄里倪厄斯

🇸🇮 Erinije

🇮🇸 Erinýur

🇰🇿 Эринии

🇬🇪 ერინიები

🇦🇿 Eriniyalar

🇲🇽 Erinias

Etymology

The term Erinyes comes from Greek mythology and is believed to have originated from the Proto-Indo-European root *er(i)-, meaning 'to cause, to set in motion'. The Erinyes were often depicted as three sisters - Alecto, Megaera, and Tisiphone - who embodied the concept of vengeance and justice. Their role in mythology was to punish those who had committed heinous crimes or broken sacred oaths.