Etymology
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Pallas

Greek goddess' name, another name for Athene, literally "little maiden," related to pallake "concubine," and probably somehow connected to Avestan pairika "beautiful women seducing pious men." The asteroid so named was discovered 1802 by Olbers and Bremen.

Entries linking to Pallas

palladium (n.1)

"a safeguard," c. 1600, originally (late 14c., Palladioun) "a sacred image of Pallas Athene," from Old French palladion, from Latin palladium, from Greek Palladion, noun use of neuter of Palladios "of Pallas." It stood in the citadel of Troy and the safety of the city was believed to depend on it. Related: Palladian.

palladium (n.2)

metallic element, coined 1803 by discoverer William Hyde Wollaston (1766-1828), from Pallas, the name given to an asteroid discovered the previous year (by German astronomer Olbers) and named for the goddess (see Pallas).

updated on December 16, 2019

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Dictionary entries near Pallas

palinode

palisade

pall

Palladian

palladium

Pallas

pallbearer

pallet

palliard

palliate

palliative

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