Category:Thyrsus

Thyr"sus, n.; pl. Thyrsi. Etym: [l., fr. Gr. Torso.]

1. A staff entwined with ivy, and surmounted by a pine cone, or by a Bunch of vine or ivy leaves with grapes or berries. It is an Attribute of bacchus, and of the satyrs and others engaging in Bacchic rites. A good to grow on graves as twist about a thyrsus. Mrs. Browning. In my hand i bear the thyrsus, tipped with fragrant cones of pine. Longfellow.

2. (bot.)

Defn: a species of inflorescence; a dense panicle, as in the lilac And horse-chestnut.