Orphism Definition

ôrfĭzəm
noun
An ancient Greek mystery religion arising in the sixth century bc from a synthesis of pre-Hellenic beliefs with the Thracian cult of Zagreus and soon becoming mingled with the Eleusinian mysteries and the doctrines of Pythagoras.
American Heritage
The rites and religion ascribed to Orpheus as founder.
Webster's New World
A short-lived movement in early 20th-century painting, derived from cubism but marked by a lyrical style and the use of bold color.
American Heritage
Advertisement

Origin of Orphism

  • French orphisme from Orphée Orpheus from Greek Orpheus

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

Orphism Sentence Examples

  • Both inculcated a peculiar kind of ascetic life; both had a mystical speculative theory of religion, with purificatory rites, abstinence from beans, &c.; but Orphism was more especially religious, while Pythagoreanism, at least originally, inclined more to be a political and philosophical creed.

  • It does not appear, however, that a regularly organized or numerous Orphic sect ever existed, nor that Orphism ever became popular; it was too abstract, too full of symbolism.

  • Of more modern writings on Orpheus and Orphism the following may be consulted.

  • Epimenides must be reckoned with Melampus and Onomacritus as one of the founders of Orphism.

  • The doctrine established itself in Greek theology under the influence of Orphism, and supplied Plato with mythic forms for his " criticism of life."

Find Similar Words

Find similar words to Orphism using the buttons below.

Words Starting With

OORORP

Words Ending With

MSMISM

Unscrambles

Orphism

Words Starting With O and Ending With M

Starts With O & Ends With MStarts With OR & Ends With MStarts With O & Ends With SM

Word Length

7 Letter Words7 Letter Words Starting With O7 Letter Words Ending With M
Advertisement