Cerberus
(ˈsɜːbərəs)
[Lat., a. Gr. κέρβερος.]
In Greek and Latin mythology the proper name of the watch-dog which guarded the entrance of the infernal regions, represented as having three heads. Used allusively, esp. in phrase, to give a sop to Cerberus (so as to stop his mouths for the moment: cf. æneid vi. 417).
| c 1386 Chaucer Monk's T. 112 He drow out Cerberus, the hound of helle. 1513 Douglas æneis vi. vi. 69 Cerberus, the hidduus hund..Quham til the prophetes..A sop stepit intill hunny..gan cast. 1632 Milton L'Allegro 2 Melancholy, of Cerberus and blackest Midnight born. 1640 Sir E. Dering Sp. on Relig. 14 Dec. v. 14 A three-fold Chimæra, a monster to our Lawes, a Cerberus to our Religion. 1695 Congreve Love for L. i. iv. 17 If I can give that Cerberus a sop, I shall be at rest for one Day. 1773 Foote Nabob 1, There is but one way of managing here; I must give the Cerberus a sop, I suppose. 1825 Hor. Smith Gaities & Grav., I will throw down a napoleon, as a sop to Cerberus. |
b. attrib.
| 1807 W. Irving Salmag. (1824) 6 We keep more than a Cerberus Watch over the golden rules of female delicacy. |