amphitryon 38: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low / SpecialistFormal, Literary, Academic
Quick answer
What does “amphitryon 38” mean?
A play by Jean Giraudoux (1929), named for the number of times the mythological story of Amphitryon had been dramatized before his version.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A play by Jean Giraudoux (1929), named for the number of times the mythological story of Amphitryon had been dramatized before his version.
A term referring specifically to this particular modern retelling of the classical myth of Amphitryon, in which Jupiter assumes Amphitryon's form to seduce his wife Alcmene.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference; identical in both varieties as a proper noun.
Connotations
Literary, theatrical, intellectual, classicist.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both, encountered almost exclusively in literary or theatre studies contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “amphitryon 38” in a Sentence
The play [Subject] is a modern take on the myth.One can study [Object] in postwar theatre courses.The title [Subject] refers to its position in a sequence.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “amphitryon 38” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- the Amphitryon 38 storyline
- an Amphitryon 38-style adaptation
American English
- the Amphitryon 38 plot
- an Amphitryon 38-type modernization
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in literature, theatre history, and classical reception studies.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
May be used as a specific reference in dramaturgy or adaptation studies.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “amphitryon 38”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “amphitryon 38”
- Using it as a common noun (e.g., 'an amphitryon 38').
- Thinking it describes a number of things (38 amphitryons).
- Mispronouncing 'Amphitryon' with stress on the first syllable.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very low-frequency proper noun, the title of a specific French play from 1929.
Yes, fully understanding the term requires knowledge of the myth of Amphitryon, Alcmene, and Jupiter.
Almost never, unless you are specifically discussing 20th-century theatre or modern adaptations of classical myths.
In British English: /æmˈfɪtrɪən/. In American English: /æmˈfɪtriən/. The stress is on the second syllable.
A play by Jean Giraudoux (1929), named for the number of times the mythological story of Amphitryon had been dramatized before his version.
Amphitryon 38 is usually formal, literary, academic in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'AMPHITRYON' is the character, '38' is like the 38th version of his story – a modern update.
Practice
Quiz
What does the '38' in 'Amphitryon 38' refer to?