Definition of "phoenix" in English

noun

1. (mythology) A mythological bird, said to be the only one of its kind, which lives for 500 years and then dies by burning to ashes on a pyre of its own making, ignited by the sun. It then arises anew from the ashes.

2. (figuratively) Anything that is reborn after apparently being destroyed.

   • Astronomers believe planets might form in this dead star's disk, like the mythical Phoenix rising up out of the ashes.

3. (Chinese mythology) A mythological Chinese chimerical bird whose physical body symbolizes the six celestial bodies; a fenghuang.

4. (historical) A Greek silver coin used briefly from 1828 to 1832, divided into 100 lepta.

5. (obsolete) A marvelous person or thing.

6. Alternative letter-case form of Phoenix (“A geometer moth of species Eulithis prunata.”).

verb

1. (Australia) To transfer assets from one company to another to dodge liability