First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
phoenix
noun phoe·nix \ˈfē-niks\
: a magical bird in ancient stories that lives for 500 years before it burns itself to death and then is born again from its ashes
Full Definition of PHOENIX
: a legendary bird which according to one account lived 500 years, burned itself to ashes on a pyre, and rose alive from the ashes to live another period; also : a person or thing likened to the phoenix
— phoe·nix·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective
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Origin of PHOENIX
Middle English fenix, from Old English, from Latin phoenix, from Greek phoinix
Phoenix
geographical name Phoe·nix \ˈfē-niks\
Definition of PHOENIX
city ∗ of Arizona on Salt River pop 1,445,632
— Phoe·ni·cian \fē-ˈni-shən\ noun
PHOENIX Defined for Kids
phoenix
noun phoe·nix \ˈfē-niks\
Definition of PHOENIX for Kids
: a legendary bird which was thought to live for 500 years, burn itself to death, and rise newborn from the ashes
Phoenix
geographical name Phoe·nix \ˈfē-niks\
Definition of PHOENIX for Kids
city, capital of Arizona
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