Etymology

Paphian

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Today it means: Of, from or relating to Paphos, the mythical birthplace of the goddess of love on the island of Cyprus. Full definition →

First used 16th c.Latin Paphius ← Ancient Greek Πάφιος
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The story

  1. Ancient Greek · derived fromΠάφιος
  2. Latin · borrowed fromPaphius
  3. English todayPaphian

From Latin Paphius [from Ancient Greek Πάφιος (Páphios), from Πάφος (Páphos, “Paphos”) + -ιος (-ios)] + English -an.

First known use, by meaning

  • from 16th c. Of, from or relating to Paphos, the mythical birthplace of the goddess of love on the island of Cyprus.
  • from 16th c. Pertaining to love or sexual desire, especially when illicit.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.