metanira: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowLiterary, Academic (Classical Studies, Mythology)
Quick answer
What does “metanira” mean?
The wife of King Celeus of Eleusis and mother of Demophoon in Greek mythology.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The wife of King Celeus of Eleusis and mother of Demophoon in Greek mythology.
A mythological figure whose actions in the Homeric Hymn to Demeter illustrate themes of maternal anxiety, mortal misunderstanding of divine actions, and the inability to achieve immortality for one's children.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No orthographic or pronunciation differences. Usage is identical and confined to academic/literary contexts.
Connotations
None beyond the mythological narrative.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both varieties, encountered only in specialized texts.
Grammar
How to Use “metanira” in a Sentence
[Proper Noun] + verb of perception/interruption (e.g., Metanira saw, Metanira screamed)Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in classical studies, literature, and mythology papers discussing the Eleusinian Mysteries or the Homeric Hymn to Demeter.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “metanira”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “metanira”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “metanira”
- Misspelling as 'Metaneira', 'Metanire', or 'Matanira'. Incorrectly using as a common noun.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, Metanira is a mortal queen, the wife of King Celeus of Eleusis.
She is famous for interrupting the goddess Demeter, who was secretly trying to grant immortality to Metanira's son, Demophoon, by placing him in a fire. Metanira's scream of alarm broke the ritual, leaving the child mortal.
The most common pronunciation in English is /ˌmɛtəˈnaɪrə/, with the primary stress on 'nai' (as in 'eye').
Yes, her story is told in the Homeric Hymn to Demeter, a primary source for the myth of the Eleusinian Mysteries.
The wife of King Celeus of Eleusis and mother of Demophoon in Greek mythology.
Metanira is usually literary, academic (classical studies, mythology) in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a METropolitan AUnt (MET-A-UNT) named IRA who is a queen. MET-AUNT-IRA = METANIRA, the queen who was an anxious aunt-like figure to the disguised goddess.
Conceptual Metaphor
MORTALITY IS A MISTAKE / HUMAN INTERVENTION THWARTS DIVINE PLAN (Metanira's intervention prevents her son's immortality).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary thematic significance of Metanira in the myth?