Python
The earth-dragon of Delphi, represented as a serpent, killed by Apollo.
Proper noun
- The earth-dragon of Delphi, represented as a serpent, killed by Apollo.
- Here Apollo killed a serpent called the Python, and established a great prophetic shrine. Sometimes it is said that the Titaness Themis had the shrine before him, and this, as well as the killing of the Python, suggests...
- It would seem, therefore, that what we have on the Phasian phiale is the Python coiled round the omphalos.[…]Paintings on Greek pottery and coins have preserved many an example of gods seated on an omphalos, including...
- Python, says Bailey, is derived from Putho to putrify, and the serpent Python being slain by Apollo, is thus interpreted: by Python is understood the ruin of the waters; Apollo slew this serpent with his arrows; that...
- An interpreted, high-level, general-purpose programming language invented by Guido van Rossum.
Origin
From Ancient Greek Πύθων (Púthōn), from Πῡθώ (Pūthṓ), the early name of Delphi, from πύθω (púthō, “to rot, to decay”). The programming language is named after Monty Python.
Derived
CPython Cython Monty Python Pythoneer Pythonesque Pythoness pythonic Pythonish Pythonist Pythonista unpythonic
Noun
- Any member of the comedy troupe Monty Python: Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones or Michael Palin.
- John Cleese is perhaps the best-known of the Pythons.
- Its cast included eventual co-Goodie Tim Brooke-Taylor and embryo Pythons Graham Chapman and John Cleese. - 1983, Bill Oddie, Gone Birding, London: Methuen, page 67: