Search Dictionary
Definition of eryx

eryx

/ˈɛr.ɪks/
er · yx

Plural:eryxes
•
Adjective:erycine
JUMP TO:

eryx Lexical Profile

eryx Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

In Greek mythology, a king of Sicily who was the son of Aphrodite and Poseidon (or Butes), famously slain by Heracles in a boxing match.

Example

"According to the ancient myth, Heracles accepted the challenge to box Eryx under the condition that the kingdom of Sicily would be the prize."


2

European An ancient mountain and city situated in western Sicily, historically renowned for its prominent temple dedicated to Venus Erycina.


3

A genus of non-venomous, burrowing snakes belonging to the family Boidae, commonly known as sand boas, native to arid regions of Africa, Asia, and southeastern Europe.

Example

"The herpetologist published a detailed study on the predatory habits of the genus Eryx in the sandy deserts of North Africa."

Photo by Benny Trapp / CC BY 3.0

Word Nuance & Usage

While the dictionary headword appears in lowercase, it is heavily context-dependent and almost always capitalized as 'Eryx' when referring to the mythological figure, the ancient Sicilian geography, or the taxonomic snake genus.

• Rhymes for eryx

Word Origin & Etymology

From Latin Eryx, derived from Ancient Greek Ἔρυξ (Érux), the name of a mythological king and a mountain in western Sicily.

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Eryx. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/eryx
Built for writers, students, and competitive word game players, Wordmom combines an uncluttered English dictionary and thesaurus with fast, pattern-based word finders so you can verify definitions, synonyms, and high-scoring tile plays in one place.
Dictionary & Reference
© 2016–2026 Wordmom Network. All rights reserved. Made with for word lovers everywhere.
Disclaimer: SCRABBLE® is a registered trademark. All intellectual property rights in and to the game are owned in the U.S.A. and Canada by Hasbro Inc., and throughout the rest of the world by J.W. Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro. Words With Friends® is a registered trademark of Zynga Inc. Wordle® is a registered trademark of The New York Times Company. Other referenced game titles and tournament lexicon codes (including NASPA NWL and WESPA/HarperCollins CSW) are trademarks of their respective owners. Wordmom is an independent reference utility for educational and entertainment purposes and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Hasbro, Mattel, Spear, Zynga, The New York Times Company, NASPA, WESPA, or HarperCollins Publishers. All game names are referenced strictly under nominative fair use to indicate compatibility.