Phoenix
/ˈfiː.nɪks/noun
A mythical bird said to burn and be reborn from its ashes; also, a person or thing that is reborn after destruction.
Did you know?The Greek word phoinix could mean both the mythical bird and the Phoenicians, probably because of the color red-purple, linking the phoenix to fire, blood, and royal dye in one ancient word.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bʰeh₂-
“To shine, appear bright, or become visible.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
φοῖνιξ (phoînix)
“A Phoenician, the date palm, the crimson-red color, or the mythical bird associated with fire.”
Classical Latin
Latin
phoenix
“The phoenix bird, borrowed from Greek.”
Old French
Old French
fenix
“The phoenix, the fabulous bird.”
Middle English
English
fenix
“The legendary bird that rises again from ashes.”
Modern English
English
phoenix
“A mythical bird that is reborn from its ashes; figuratively, a dramatic rebirth or renewal.”
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