Morpheus
/ˈmɔːr.fi.əs/noun
In Greek mythology, Morpheus is a god or spirit of dreams who appears in human form.
Did you know?In Ovid’s *Metamorphoses*, Morpheus could imitate the appearance, voice, and mannerisms of any human sleeper’s dream figure.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
μορφή (morphḗ)
“Form, shape, or appearance; the source of Morpheus’s name”
Hellenistic Greek
Greek
Μορφεύς (Morpheús)
“Morpheus, the dream figure associated with taking human forms”
1st Century CE
Latin
Morpheus
“The personified power of dreams in Ovid’s poetic mythology”
14th–16th Century
Latin/English
Morpheus
“A classical name revived in learned and literary English”
Modern English
English
Morpheus
“A mythological dream deity; also a poetic name for sleep or dreaming”
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