Priapus
/ˈpraɪ.əpəs/noun
A Greek and Roman fertility god associated with gardens, livestock, and exaggerated male virility.
Did you know?In Roman gardens, Priapus statues were often placed as apotropaic guardians, so his obscene body was treated as a charm against theft and bad luck.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
Πρίαπος (Príapos)
“A rustic fertility deity linked with gardens, livestock, and male generative power.”
Classical Latin
Latin
Priapus
“The Roman name for the same fertility god.”
Late Latin
Latin
priapismus
“A medical term for persistent, abnormal penile erection, named after the god.”
Middle English
English
Priapus
“Used in learned or literary contexts for the classical fertility god.”
Modern English
English
priapus
“A rare literary form referring to Priapus, or a stylistic variant of the proper name.”