irene
- 01 B1 Intermediate
a common female first name that comes from the Greek word for peace.
a feminine given name of Greek origin, popular in various European languages since the 19th century.
Simple“My grandmother Irene was named after the Greek word for peace.”
In context“The name Irene saw a significant surge in popularity during the late Victorian era, often chosen for its classical roots and peaceful connotations.”
- 02 C1 Advanced
the Greek goddess of peace, often shown holding an olive branch.
the personification of peace in Greek mythology, one of the Horae and equivalent to the Roman goddess Pax.
Simple“In ancient art, Irene is often depicted with a sceptre or a torch.”
In context“Classical scholars often compare the iconography of Irene with that of her Roman counterpart, Pax, to understand shifting cultural views on stability.”
Synonymseirene - 03 C2 Proficiency
a large rock, called an asteroid, that orbits the sun between Mars and Jupiter.
a large main-belt asteroid, designated 14 Irene, discovered in 1851.
Simple“Astronomers used telescopes to track the path of Irene through the night sky.”
In context“The orbital elements of 14 Irene were calculated shortly after its discovery, confirming its position within the primary asteroid belt.”
Synonyms14 irene
Borrowed from French Irène, from Ancient Greek Εἰρήνη (Eirḗnē, “peace”), name of a goddess of peace, of early Christian saints, and of an 8th-century Byzantine empress. Doublet of Eirini.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.