Python

Definitions

1. Any of the family Pythonidae of nonvenomous constrictor snakes.
2. The earth-dragon of Delphi, represented as a serpent, killed by Apollo.
   Greek
3. Any member of the comedy troupe Monty Python: Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones or Michael Palin.
   informal
4. A penis.
   slang, vulgar
5. An interpreted, high-level, general-purpose programming language invented by Guido van Rossum.

Equivalents

Examples

“Here Apollo killed a serpent called the Python, and established a great prophetic shrine. Sometimes it is said that the Titaness Themis had the shrine before him, and this, as well as the killing of the Python, suggests that Apollo took over a place⟳ already of religious significance, associated with chthonic (i.e., earth) powers.”

“It would seem, therefore, that what we have⟳ on the Phasian phiale is the Python coiled round the omphalos.[…]Paintings on Greek pottery and coins have⟳ preserved many an example of gods seated on an omphalos, including those of Apollo, Nike, Asclepius and others.⁴¹³ Python on the omphalos must have⟳ carried some symbolic meaning.”

“Python, says Bailey, is derived from Putho to putrify, and the serpent Python being slain by Apollo, is thus interpreted: by Python is understood the ruin of the waters; Apollo slew this serpent with his arrows; that is, the beams of the sun dispersed the noxious vapours, which destroyed man like⟳ a devouring serpent.”

“John Cleese is perhaps the best-known of the Pythons.”

CEFR level