Daphne Meaning
/ˈdæfni/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounAny one of least 50 species of shrub in the genus Daphne of the family Thymelaeaceae, some of which are grown as ornamentals.
nameA dryad pursued by Apollo, who was turned into a laurel tree by the river god Peneus.
Sentence Examples
Daphne will open a school.
Daphne is going to open a school.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The green shrub called ____ is often planted for its fragrant flowers.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
____ will open a school.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree Ancient Greek δάφνη (dáphnē)bor. English Daphne Borrowed from Ancient Greek δάφνη (dáphnē, “laurel, bay”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Run when you will, the story shall be chang'd; / Apollo flies, and Daphne holds the chase; / The dove pursues the griffin"
— c. 1595–1596 (date written), William Shakespeare, “A Midsommer Nights Dreame”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies: Published According to the True Originall Copies (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene i]:
"My wife. Daphne. Yes, that was, is, her name. For some reason people have always found it faintly comic. I think it matches very well her damp, dark, myopic beauty."
— 1989, John Banville, The Book of Evidence, page 7:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The green shrub called ____ is often planted for its fragrant flowers.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
____ will open a school.