noun
sibyl
SIB-ul/ˈsɪbl/
A woman believed to foretell the future in ancient tradition.
In the ancient tale, a sibyl warns the king of disaster.
Etymology
A sibyl was a prophetess consulted in the ancient Greek and Roman world, giving the word its sense of a woman credited with foretelling events. The name’s deeper origin is uncertain.
In context
Gaia Apollo chose a woman to be his High Priestess and named her the Pythia the first Pythia also known as the Sibyl delivered her Oracle's
More examples
- The travelers consult a sibyl before beginning their journey.
- Several sibyls appear in the temple's ancient paintings.
- The poem describes a sibyl delivering a prophecy in a cave.
Forms
sibyl · sibyls
sibylline adjective — Relating to sibyls or their prophecies.
Similar words
- prophetess
- Names a female prophet without limiting her to ancient tradition.
- oracle
- Can name a prophetic person, place, or message.
- soothsayer
- Refers to a fortune-teller of any gender or era.