Knights of Pythias

noun

A quasi-masonic fraternity for men.

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Meanings

nounKnights of Pythias pl (normally plural, singular Knight of Pythias)

singular Knight of Pythias

  1. pluralplural normallyA quasi-masonic fraternity for men.

Origin

Founded by Justus H. Rathbone, who had been inspired by a play by the Irish poet John Banim about the legend of Damon and Pythias, illustrating the ideals of loyalty, honour, and friendship.

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Cite this entry
APA

Knights of Pythias. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Knights%20of%20Pythias

MLA

“Knights of Pythias.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Knights%20of%20Pythias. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Knights of Pythias,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Knights%20of%20Pythias.

Source: Knights of Pythias on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.