Orphism

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Or·phism

(ôr′fĭz′əm)

1. 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.

2. often orphism A short-lived movement in early 20th-century painting, derived from cubism but marked by a lyrical style and the use of bold color.

[French orphisme, from Orphée, Orpheus, from Greek Orpheus.]

Or′phist n.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Orphism

(ˈɔːfɪzəm)

(Classical Myth & Legend) a mystery religion of ancient Greece, widespread from the 6th century bc onwards, combining pre-Hellenic beliefs, the Thracian cult of (Dionysius) Zagreus, etc

Orˈphistic adj

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

Or•phism

(ˈɔr fɪz əm)

n.

a Greek religious movement of the 6th to 5th centuries b.c. whose mystic beliefs were expounded in poems allegedly written by Orpheus.

[1875–80]

Orphism

a short-lived development of Cubism c.1912 that attempted to enliven the original approach by subordinating the geometrical forms and using unmixed bright colors. — Orphist, n.