skyphos: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
RareTechnical/Academic
Quick answer
What does “skyphos” mean?
A type of ancient Greek drinking cup with two handles and a deep bowl.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of ancient Greek drinking cup with two handles and a deep bowl.
In archaeology and art history, it refers to a specific form of pottery used for drinking wine in ancient Greece, often decorated with figures or patterns.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage; both varieties employ the term identically in academic settings.
Connotations
Neutral; associated with ancient Greek culture, archaeology, and art history.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both British and American English, confined to specialized fields like classics and museum studies.
Grammar
How to Use “skyphos” in a Sentence
[adjective] skyphosskyphos from [period]skyphos decorated with [design]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable; not used in business contexts.
Academic
Common in archaeology, art history, and classical studies publications and lectures.
Everyday
Rarely used; may appear in educational materials, museum exhibits, or historical discussions.
Technical
Specific term in pottery typology and ancient artifact classification.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “skyphos”
- Mispronouncing as /skaɪˈfɒs/ or /ˈskɪfɒs/
- Using it generically for any cup instead of the specific Greek type.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A skyphos is a type of ancient Greek drinking cup with two handles and a deep bowl, commonly used in symposia (drinking parties).
In British English, it's pronounced /ˈskaɪfɒs/, and in American English, it's /ˈskaɪfoʊs/.
It is primarily used in academic and technical contexts, such as archaeology, art history, and classical studies, rather than everyday conversation.
Yes, similar vessels include the kantharos (another drinking cup with high handles) and kylix (a shallower cup), but the skyphos has specific features like its deep bowl and two horizontal handles.
A type of ancient Greek drinking cup with two handles and a deep bowl.
Skyphos is usually technical/academic in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'sky' + 'phos' (sounds like 'focus') – imagine focusing on a sky-high cup used in ancient Greek parties.
Conceptual Metaphor
Often symbolizes ancient Greek symposia (drinking parties) or cultural heritage in academic discourse.
Practice
Quiz
What is a skyphos primarily used for?