Elysian
Language: English
Part of speech: adj
Pronunciation: ipa: /ɪˈlɪz.i.ən/
ipa: /ɪˈlɪʒ.ən/
ipa: /ɪˈli.ʒən/
rhymes: -ɪʒən
rhymes: -iːʒən
Forms: form: elysian
Etymology: From Latin Elysium (from Ancient Greek Ἠλύσιον (Ēlúsion, “Elysium; one of the Elysian Fields”)) + -an (adjective-forming suffix).
Senses: examples: text: Departed spirits do not however make a joyful and immediate entrance into these elysian fields, but must first slide for the space of five days, or, according to others, for a still longer period, down a rough rock, which the Greenlanders, by a strange contradiction, represent to be quite bloody.
ref: 1826, John Frederick Dennett, “The Second Voyage of Captain Parry”, in The Voyages and Travels of Captains Parry, Franklin, Ross, and Mr. Belzoni; Forming an Interesting History of the Manners, Customs, and Characters of Various Nations, Visited by Enterprising Travellers, London: Published by J. Jacques and W. Wright, 13, Paternoster Row, →OCLC, page 246:
text: But everyone that has lived a wicked life on earth, committed murder in his own nation, or been guilty of suicide, must pass by a different route to the Elysian fields. He has a steep precipice to climb, which gives him much pain and trouble; […]
ref: 1897, Alexander Henry, David Thompson, “Ethnography of Fort Vermilion”, in Elliott Coues, editor, New Light on the Early History of the Greater Northwest: The Manuscript Journals of Alexander Henry, Fur Trader of the Northwest Company and of David Thompson, Official Geographer of the Same Company 1799–1814: Exploration and Adventure among the Indians on the Red, Saskatchewan, Missouri and Columbia Rivers … In Three Volumes, volume II, New York, N.Y.: Francis P. Harper, →OCLC, part II (The Saskatchewan and Columbia Rivers), page 529:
glosses: Of or pertaining to Elysian or Elysium, the location.
examples: text: O vvho of man the ſtory vvill unfold, / Ere victory and empire vvrought annoy, / In that elyſian age (miſnamed of gold) / The age of love, and innocence and joy, […]
ref: 1774, James Beattie, The Minstrel; or, The Progress of Genius. A Poem. Book the Second, London: […] Edward and Charles Dilly, […]; Edinburgh: William Creech, […], →OCLC, stanza XXXVI, page 19:
text: Unlike Raphael's "Galatea" and his "Three Graces", examples of Elysian happiness in a race in the state of innocence, Giulio [Romano]'s decorations resemble saturnalia of lubricity itself.
ref: 1909, Louis Gillet, “Giulio Romano”, in Charles G[eorge] Herbermann et al., editors, The Catholic Encyclopedia: An International Work of Reference on the Constitution, Doctrine, Discipline, and History of the Catholic Church [...] In Fifteen Volumes, volumes VI (Fathers–Gregory), New York, N.Y.: Robert Appleton Company, →OCLC, pages 572, column 2 – 573, column 1:
text: Mystic waves of beauty blended / With the gorgeous golden rays / Phantasies of bliss descended / In a myrrh'd Elysian haze. / In the lyre-born chords extended / Harmonies of Lydian lays.
ref: 2007 spring, H[oward] P[hillips] Lovecraft, “Astrophobos”, in John Gregory Betancourt, editor, Adventure Tales, volume 1, number 4, Rockville, Md.: Wildside Press, →ISBN, page 117:
text: Winchester College has an Elysian quality, doubtless appreciated by the classical masters who supplied its educational staple for most of its six-century history.
ref: 2015, David Turner, “Embracing the Examination Incubus 1945–1979”, in The Old Boys: The Decline and Rise of the Public School, New Haven, Conn.; London: Yale University Press, →ISBN, page 193:
synonyms: word: air-headed
word: blissed out
word: blissful
word: cock-a-hoop
word: delighted
word: ecstatic
word: elated
word: euphoric
word: exultant
word: filled with happiness
word: giddy
word: gladsome
word: gleeful
word: greatly pleased
word: joyful
word: joyous
word: lighthearted
word: orgasmic
word: on cloud nine
word: over the moon
word: overjoyed
word: thrilled
word: walking on air
glosses: Blissful, happy, heavenly
Related terms: Elysian Fields