Hippocrene
(ˈhɪpəʊkriːn)
In 7 erron. Hypo-.
[ad. L. Hippocrēnē, Gr. Ἱπποκρήνη for Ἵππου κρήνη ‘fountain of the horse’, so called because it was fabled to have been produced by a stroke of Pegasus' hoof. Cf. F. Hippocrène (16th c. in Littré).]
Name of a fountain on Mount Helicon, sacred to the Muses; hence used allusively in reference to poetic or literary inspiration.
| 1634 Habington Castara (Arb.) 64 My sacke will..inspire so high a rage, That Hypocrene shall henceforth Poets lacke. 1638–48 G. Daniel Eclog iii. 269 And Hypocrene it selfe is but a Tale To countenance dull Soules who drinke not Ale. 1693 Congreve in Dryden's Persius (1697) 400 This Hippocrene, which from a Rock did flow. 1820 Keats Ode to Nightingale 16 O for a beaker..Full of the true, the blushful Hippocrene. 1841 Longfellow Goblet of Life ii, Maddening draughts of Hippocrene. |
Hence Hippoˈcrenian a., pertaining to Hippocrene.
| a 1679 Earl of Orrery Guzman 1, There's no more Hypocrinian Moisture in my Brain. |