Pythoness
/ˈpaɪθənɪs/noun
A female prophet or soothsayer, especially the priestess of Apollo at Delphi.
Did you know?The Delphic Pythoness, also called the Pythia, delivered Apollo’s oracles while seated over the sacred sanctuary at Delphi.
Etymological Timeline
Archaic Greek
Greek
Πυθώ (Pythō)
“The ancient name of Delphi, associated in myth with the serpent Python.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
Πύθων (Pythōn)
“Python, the serpent said to guard Delphi before Apollo defeated it.”
Classical Greek
Greek
Πυθία (Pythia)
“The priestess and prophetic spokeswoman of Apollo at Delphi.”
Late Greek
Greek
Πυθώνισσα (Pythōnissa)
“A female prophetess associated with Python or the Delphic oracle.”
Medieval Latin
Latin
Pythonissa
“A prophetess, especially one connected with pagan divination.”
16th Century
English
Pythoness
“A female soothsayer or prophetess, particularly the priestess at Delphi.”
Modern English
English
pythoness
“A woman regarded as a prophet or fortune-teller; especially the priestess of Apollo at Delphi.”