Phoebus

P3H4O1E1B3U1S1
/ˈfiː.bəs/

proper noun

An epithet and synonym for Helios; Phoebus Helios.

UncommonScrabble 14

Meanings

proper noun

alternative archaic Phœbus

  1. Greekhuman sciencesAn epithet and synonym for Helios; Phoebus Helios.
    1 more example

    Mor. Miſlike me not for my complexion, The ſhadowed liuerie of the burniſht ſunne, To whom I am a neighbour, and neere bred. Bring me the faireſt creature North-ward borne, Where Phœbus fire ſcarce thawes the yſicles, And let vs make inciſion for your loue, To proue whoſe blood is reddeſt, his or mine.

    c. 1596–1598 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene i], page 167
  2. GreekRomanhuman sciencesAn epithet and synonym for Apollo; Phoebus Apollo.

    By Phœbus, here's a moſt neate fine ſtreete; is't not? I proteſt to thee, I am enamord of this ſtreete now, more then of halfe the ſtreetes of Rome, againe; tis ſo polite, and terſe; […]

    1601, Ben Jonson, Poetaster or The Arraignment: […], London: […] [R. Bradock] for M[atthew] L[ownes] […], published 1602, →OCLC, Act III
    2 more examples

    The heaven doth not contain so many stars, So many leaves not prostrate lie in woods, When autumn’s old and Boreas sounds his wars, So many waves have not the ocean floods, As my rent mind hath torments all the night,

    17th century, William Drummond, Sextain I, in English Poetry, published 1907, page 162

    For she recalled the edict which decreed If in one day she did not take or kill The challenger (to this King Charles agreed), She was his captive and must do his will. Phoebus was soon to plunge his golden head Into the western sea when of her skill And strength the Maid at last began doubt, While her fatigue was putting hope to rout.[…]

    1991 August 29, Ludovico Ariosto, Orlando Furioso: Part Two (Orlando Furioso), Penguin UK, →ISBN, →OCLC

Origin

  1. Ancient GreekΦοῖβος
  2. LatinPhoebus
  3. Middle EnglishPhebus
  4. EnglishPhoebus

From Middle English Phebus, from Latin Phoebus, from Ancient Greek Φοῖβος (Phoîbos).

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Ancient Greek Φοῖβος
  • Φοῖβος (Phoîbos)divine epithet
Esperanto Febo
  • Febodivine epithet
French Phébus, Phœbus
  • Phébusdivine epithet
  • Phœbusdivine epithet
Greek Φοίβος
  • Φοίβος (Foívos)divine epithet
Italian Febo
  • Febodivine epithet
Japanese ポイボス
  • ポイボスdivine epithet
Korean 포이보스
  • 포이보스 (Poiboseu)divine epithet
Latin Phoebus
  • Phoebusdivine epithet
Polish Febus
  • Febusdivine epithet
Russian Феб
  • Феб (Feb)divine epithet
Spanish Febo
  • Febodivine epithet
Cite this entry
APA

Phoebus. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Phoebus

MLA

“Phoebus.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Phoebus. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Phoebus,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Phoebus.

Source: Phoebus on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.