Pronunciations (2)
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/paɪˈθɒnɪk/
Pronunciation notes
- Received-Pronunciation
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/paɪˈθɑnɪk/
Pronunciation notes
- General-American
Adjective
Of or pertaining to, or resembling, a python (“large constricting snake of the family Pythonidae”); pythonlike.
- Examples
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The blue glitter of Mr Kelly's eyes in the uttermost depths of their orbits became fixed, then veiled by the classical pythonic glaze.
Adjective
Of or pertaining to an oracle or prophet, or to the telling of prophecies; oracular, prophetic.
- Related words
- Examples
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More examples (5)
And if it be his [Andreas Schott's] Opinion there vvas no ſuch Thing as a Pythonick Spirit, I vviſh he vvould read the Anſvver Father [Jean-François] Baltus has vvrit to Mr. [Bernard Le Bovier de] Fontenelle’s Book of Oracles, […]
[Verse 10] Neither let there be found among you any one that ſhall expiate his ſon or daughter, making them to paſs through the fire: or that conſulteth ſoothſayers, or obſerveth dreams and omens, neither let there be any wizard, / [Verse 11] Nor charmer, nor any one that conſulteth pythonick ſpirits, or fortune-tellers or that ſeeketh the truth from the dead.
[T]he ſpirit from ſimilar affection favours the thoughts or principles of the man, […] The Pythonic ſpirits of old vvere ſuch, as alſo the Magi in Egypt and Babel, vvho vvere called vviſe men, on account of their talking vvith ſpirits, and plainly feeling their operation upon them.
There may be those who will here ask, Why are these necromantic or pythonic practices ever permitted? […] [T]o those who know nothing of the Word, these evils may not be sins at all. […] To such, and for the same reason, the Pythonic oracles at Delphi, at Dodona, and at the temple of Ammon in Lybia, were means of good.
Here is what we read in Deuteronomy, Chap. XVIII: "Neither let there be found among you any one that … consulteth soothsayers … or pythonic spirits, or fortune tellers, or that seeketh the truth from the dead. For the Lord abhorreth all these things, and for these abominations he will destroy them."