Hyperborean
/ˌhaɪ.pərˈbɔːr.i.ən/noun
Relating to the mythical Hyperboreans or to the extreme northern regions.
Did you know?Ancient writers placed the Hyperboreans beyond the realm of the North Wind, where they supposedly lived in extraordinary peace and honored Apollo.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*uper
“Over, above, or beyond; the ancient root behind the first element of Hyperborean.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ὑπέρ (hypér)
“Over, beyond, or farther than.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
Βορέας (Boréas)
“Boreas, the North Wind, personified as a god.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
Ὑπερβόρεοι (Hyperbóreoi)
“The Hyperboreans, a legendary people said to live beyond the North Wind.”
Latin
Latin
Hyperboreus
“Of or relating to the Hyperboreans or the far north.”
16th Century
English
Hyperborean
“Relating to the mythical northern people; later extended to the extreme north.”
Modern English
English
Hyperborean
“Relating to the mythical Hyperboreans or to far-northern regions.”