tauro-
repr. Gr. ταυρο-, combining form of ταῦρος (= L. taurus) bull, occurring in a few words derived from Greek and modern chemical terms, and in rare nonce-formations. ˈtaurobole [cf. tauroboly], a bull-slayer; also tauroˈbolic a., of the nature of tauroboly. (Both rare.); tauˈrolatry [-latry], worship of a bull (in quot. with allusion to ‘John Bull’). tauroˈmorphous a. [Gr. ταυρόµορϕος, f. µορϕή form], having the form of a bull. tauro-ˈserpentine a., relating to a bull and a serpent. See also below.
| 1934 R. Campbell Broken Record viii. 183 These two great horsemen are superior equestrian *tauroboles to any of the Portuguese, Spanish or Mexican. |
| Ibid. iii. 67 A truly *taurobolic and Mithraic sensation. |
| 1901 Speaker 8 June 278/2 Is not *Taurolatry the religion of Englishmen? |
| 1891 Cent. Dict., *Tauromorphous. |
| 1855 Bailey Mystic 58 As told in mysteries *tauro-serpentine. |