'Cadmean' definitions:

Definition of 'Cadmean'

From: GCIDE
  • Cadmean \Cad*me"an\ (k[a^]d*m[=e]"an), a. [L. Cadmeus, Gr. Kadmei^os, from Ka`dmos (L. Cadmus), which name perhaps means lit. a man from the East; cf. Heb. qedem east.] Of or pertaining to Cadmus, a fabulous prince of Thebes, who was said to have introduced into Greece the sixteen simple letters of the alphabet -- [alpha], [beta], [gamma], [delta], [epsilon], [iota], [kappa], [lambda], [mu], [nu], [omicron], [pi], [rho], [sigma], [tau], [upsilon]. These are called Cadmean letters. [1913 Webster]
  • Cadmean victory, a victory that damages the victors as much as the vanquished; probably referring to the battle in which the soldiers who sprang from the dragon's teeth sown by Cadmus slew each other. Similar to a Pyhrric victory. [1913 Webster +PJC]

Words containing 'Cadmean'