[L.; Gr. Κίρκη.]
1. In Greek and Latin mythology the name of an enchantress who dwelt in the island of Aea, and transformed all who drank of her cup into swine; often used allusively.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Knt.’s T., 1026. Thenchauntementz of Medea and Circes.
1590. Shaks., Com. Err., V. i. 270. I thinke you all haue drunke of Circes cup.
1793. Eliza Parsons, Woman as she should be, III. 8. If you knew the two women, you would … curse the circe that has wounded the bosom of an angel.
1857. trans. Dumas’ Three Musk., xxxvi. D’Artagnan found once more the Circé who had already caught him in her enchantments.
comb. 1647. H. More, Song of Soul, II. i. I. iv. And Circe-like her shape doth all misfashion.
2. Astr. Name of one of the asteroids, discovered 6 April 1855.
