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Definition of 'Phaethon'

Word Frequency

Phaethon in British

(ˈfeɪəθən )
noun
an asteroid (6.9 km in diameter) that has an orbit approaching close to the sun and releases fragments of dust that enter the earth's atmosphere as meteors
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word Frequency

Phaëthon in British

(ˈfeɪəθən )
noun
Greek mythology
the son of Helios (the sun god) who borrowed his father's chariot and nearly set the earth on fire by approaching too close to it. Zeus averted the catastrophe by striking him down with a thunderbolt
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word Frequency

Phaëthon in American

(ˈfeɪəˌθɑn ; fāˈət hänˌ)
noun
Classical Mythology
son of Helios, the sun god: he unsuccessfully tries to drive his father's sun chariot and almost sets the world on fire, but Zeus strikes him down with a thunderbolt
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Word origin of 'Phaethon'
L Phaethon < Gr Phaethōn, lit., shining (< phaethein, to shine) < phaos, light < IE base *bhā-, to shine

Word Lists

asteroid

Trends of 'Phaethon'

Used Rarely. Phaethon is in the lower 50% of commonly used words in the Collins dictionary

View usage for:

Nearby words of 'Phaethon'

  • phaenomenon
  • phaenotype
  • phaeomelanin
  • Phaethon
  • phaeton
  • phag-
  • phage

  • All ENGLISH words that begin with 'P'

Source

Definition of Phaethon from the Collins English Dictionary

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