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Pyrrhic victory

(pirik)

a too costly victory: in reference to either of two victories of Pyrrhus, king of Epirus, over the Romans in 280 and 279 , with very heavy losses

Origin: Gr Pyrrhikos

See Pyrrhic victory in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
A victory that is offset by staggering losses.

Origin:

Origin: After Pyrrhus

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