Cytherean, a. and n.
(sɪθəˈriːan)
[f. L. Cytherēa = Gr. κυθέρεια a name of Aphrodite or Venus, from κύθηρα Cythera, Cerigo.]
A. adj.
1. Pertaining to Venus; also transf. (cf. B).
| 1866 Elgin Cathedral Guide 45 A Cytheraean temple under State supervision and protection. |
2. Pertaining to the planet Venus.
| 1885 Clerke Pop. Hist. Astron. 284 Three distinct atmospheres—the solar, terrestrial, and cytherean—combine to deform outlines. |
B. n. A votaress of Venus; a prostitute attached to a heathen temple in India; also generally.
| 1751 Beau-philosopher 238 The Baron..obliged him..to tack about to some other Cytherean. 1807 J. Johnson Orient. Voy. 96 The contaminated embrace of a modern Cytherean. |