English Meaning & Definitions
Having an atmosphere of imminent peril or disaster, especially in the midst of prosperity; hanging like a sword overhead.
- “The CEO lived under a damoclean threat of a hostile corporate takeover.”
- “Despite their massive profits, the company operated under a damoclean cloud of impending antitrust lawsuits.”
English Synonyms & Near Equivalents
Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown
Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “damoclean”.
Derived from the ancient Greek moral anecdote of Damocles, a sycophantic courtier of Dionysius II of Syracuse. To teach Damocles about the constant perils accompanying supreme power and good fortune, Dionysius made him sit beneath a heavy sword suspended entirely by a single hair from a horse's tail.
Think of 'Damocles' and his famous hanging sword to remember that 'damoclean' describes something fraught with imminent danger.
Frequently Asked Questions About “damoclean”
1. What is the meaning of “damoclean” in English?
In English, damoclean (adjective) is defined as: “Having an atmosphere of imminent peril or disaster, especially in the midst of prosperity; hanging like a sword overhead.”.
2. How do you use “damoclean” in a sentence?
“The CEO lived under a damoclean threat of a hostile corporate takeover.”
3. What are English synonyms of “damoclean”?
4. What is the etymology and word origin of “damoclean”?
Derived from the ancient Greek moral anecdote of Damocles, a sycophantic courtier of Dionysius II of Syracuse. To teach Damocles about the constant perils accompanying supreme power and good fortune, Dionysius made him sit beneath a heavy sword suspended entirely by a single hair from a horse's tail.
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A specific duration of time equal to one hour and forty-six minutes and twelve seconds.
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