Egyptian Antiq. Pl. uræi. [A modern Latinization of οὐραῖος, given by Horapollo as the Egyptian name for the cobra, perhaps influenced in form by the Gr. adj. οὐραῖος, f. οὐρά tail.] A representation of the sacred asp, snake, or serpent, or of its head and neck, employed as an emblem of supreme power, sometimes spec. as worn on the headdress of ancient Egyptian divinities and sovereigns.
1832. G. Long, Egypt. Antiq., I. xi. 254. The snake called Chnuphis or Uræus, the symbol of royalty found so often on the monuments of Egypt.
1847. Leitch, trans. C. O. Müller’s Anc. Art, § 232. 205. The Sun-god … with the head of a hawk … with the sun’s disc, upon it an uræus.
1890. Rider Haggard & A. Lang, World’s Desire, I. vi. I will stake the sacred circlet upon my brow, against the Royal uraeus on thine.
1904. Bupde, 3rd & 4th Egypt. Rooms Brit. Mus., 116. A canopy of a bier … ornamented with a row of uræi wearing disks.
attrib. 1858. Birch, Anc. Pottery, I. 20. Figures of vultures, of the uræus serpent, and a scarabæus. Ibid., 89. The crocodiles of Sabak, uræi or cobra-capella snakes, emblems of the gods.
1889. Rider Haggard, Cleopatra, II. ix. The sceptre in her hand, and on her brow the uræus diadem of gold.
