cornucopia

views updated May 14 2018

cor·nu·co·pi·a / ˌkôrn(y)əˈkōpēə/ • n. a symbol of plenty consisting of a goat's horn overflowing with flowers, fruit, and corn. ∎  an ornamental container shaped like such a horn. ∎  an abundant supply of good things of a specified kind: the festival offers a cornucopia of pleasures.DERIVATIVES: cor·nu·co·pi·an adj.

cornucopia

views updated May 11 2018

cornucopia a symbol of plenty consisting of a goat's horn overflowing with flowers, fruit, and corn. The word comes (in the early 16th century) from late Latin, from Latin cornu copiaehorn of plenty’, a mythical horn able to provide whatever is desired, in Greek mythology supposedly the horn of the goat Amalthea which suckled Zeus.

cornucopia

views updated May 09 2018

cornucopia XVI. — late L. cornūcōpia, earlier cornū cōpiæhorn of plenty’, the horn of the goat Amalthea placed in heaven, emblem of fruitfulness and abundance.