calliope
calliope Lexical Profile
calliope Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A keyboard musical instrument resembling an organ that produces loud, shrill notes by sending steam or compressed air through a series of large whistles, traditionally used on riverboats and in circuses.
"The cheerful, piercing music of the steam calliope echoed across the fairgrounds as the parade began."
In Greek mythology, the Muse who presides over eloquence and epic or heroic poetry, often considered the chief of the nine Muses (usually capitalized as Calliope).
"Ancient poets such as Homer and Virgil invoked Calliope for inspiration at the beginning of their epic verses."
• Rhymes for calliope
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from Latin Calliope, from Ancient Greek Kalliope, literally meaning 'beautiful-voiced', composed of kallos ('beauty') and ops ('voice'). The musical instrument was named after the Greek Muse in the mid-19th century, ironically referencing its loud, piercing whistles.