corybantic

 

CORYBANTIC

IPA PRONUNCIATION FOR CORYBANTIC

/ˌkɒrɪˈbæntɪk/

PHONEMIC PRONUNCIATION

cor·y·ban·tic ˌkȯr-ə-ˈban-tik

DEFINITIONS

Adjective: Wildly excited; frenzied, especially in reference to ecstatic dancing or rituals.

ETYMOLOGY

Derived from the name of the Corybantes, the frenzied priests of the Phrygian goddess Cybele, who engaged in wildly ecstatic dances and music as part of their worship. The term entered English via Latin Corybantici and Greek Korubantikos in reference to such ecstatic behavior.

ENLIGHTENMENT

Imagine an ancient religious festival where the air is thick with incense, drums pound like a frenzied heartbeat, and worshippers whirl in a state of euphoric madness. That’s the origin of CORYBANTIC.

SAMPLE SENTENCES (LITERAL)

  1. The CORYBANTIC drumming of the street performers attracted a growing crowd of fascinated onlookers.
  2. During the festival, dancers entered a CORYBANTIC trance, twirling and leaping without restraint.
  3. The orchestra’s percussionist, lost in the music, played with a CORYBANTIC intensity that left the audience breathless.
  4. At the rave, neon lights flashed over a sea of bodies moving in CORYBANTIC ecstasy.
  5. The CORYBANTIC energy of the crowd at the championship parade was both thrilling and slightly terrifying.
  6. When the heavy metal band took the stage, the audience erupted into a CORYBANTIC frenzy of headbanging and moshing.
  7. The chef’s CORYBANTIC chopping rhythm made even the most experienced sous-chefs nervous.
  8. A CORYBANTIC cheer exploded in the stadium as the underdog team scored the winning goal.
  9. The child’s CORYBANTIC excitement over his new puppy made it impossible to get him to sit still.
  10. At Mardi Gras, the streets pulse with CORYBANTIC music, laughter, and untamed celebration.

SAMPLE SENTENCES (FIGURATIVE)

  1. The stock market’s CORYBANTIC fluctuations left investors in a state of panic.
  2. The actor’s CORYBANTIC acceptance speech was so intense, security had to guide him off the stage.
  3. Thanksgiving at Aunt Martha’s was a CORYBANTIC mess of flying turkey legs, screaming toddlers, and an overcooked pie.
  4. The professor’s CORYBANTIC lecture was a whirlwind of passion, theories, and barely legible whiteboard notes.
  5. After winning the lottery, she ran through the streets in a CORYBANTIC celebration, hugging strangers.
  6. The novelist, in a CORYBANTIC burst of inspiration, wrote 20 pages before realizing she hadn’t eaten all day.
  7. Twitter erupted in a CORYBANTIC storm of opinions when the celebrity posted an ambiguous tweet.
  8. His CORYBANTIC proposal involved fireworks, a parade, and a live band—she was more terrified than charmed.
  9. The kindergarten classroom was in a CORYBANTIC state after the teacher announced an unexpected ice cream party.
  10. As the courtroom erupted into chaos, the judge banged his gavel in a CORYBANTIC attempt to restore order.
  11. The CORYBANTIC energy of the political rally escalated when the candidate unexpectedly leaped onto a table to deliver an impassioned speech.
  12. The toddler’s CORYBANTIC meltdown in the grocery store was so intense that shoppers in aisle five mistook it for a fire drill.
  13. After hearing the news of the canceled flight, the airport terminal descended into CORYBANTIC confusion as passengers scrambled to rebook.
  14. The tech startup’s CORYBANTIC launch event featured flashing lights, a DJ, and executives riding in on scooters.
  15. The courtroom became CORYBANTIC when the surprise witness revealed a shocking piece of evidence.

SYNONYMS

frenzied

manic

ecstatic

unrestrained

tumultuous

exuberant

wild

ANTONYMS

calm

tranquil

measured

subdued

restrained

LITERARY GEM

In Euripides’ play The Bacchae, the followers of Dionysus engage in wild, CORYBANTIC dancing, surrendering to divine madness.

MNEPHONICS

Picture a group of grandmothers at a bingo hall. Suddenly, the host calls out, “Bingo jackpot!” Chaos erupts—grandmas leap onto tables, flinging bingo cards, waving purses like battle axes. One even breaks into a breakdance. This is CORYBANTIC energy at its finest.

LOGOPHILE HUMOR

A philosopher, a DJ, and a toddler walk into a bar.
The philosopher muses, “True joy is a state of tranquil reflection.”
The DJ cranks up the bass, shouting, “Nah, man, it’s pure rhythm!”
The toddler throws his sippy cup and screams, “CORYBANTIC!”
The bartender sighs. “Great. Another Friday night.”

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