Empyrean

Pronunciation

• IPA: /É›mËŒpaɪˈriːnÌ©/, /É›mˈpɪriÉ™n/

Origin

From Latin empȳreus, from Ancient Greek ἔμπυρος, from ἐν (en, "in") + πῦρ (pyr, "fire") (English pyre).

Full definition of empyrean

Noun

1. The region of pure light and fire; the highest heaven, where the pure element of fire was supposed by the ancients to exist: the same as the ether, the ninth heaven according to ancient astronomy.
• Milton Lost|VIISo sung they, and the Empyrean rung,
  With Halleluiahs:
• 1863, Alfred Tennyson, Experiments in Quantitythe deep-domed empyrean
  Rings to the roar of an angel onset
• Chesterton Thursday|IThe very empyrean seemed to be a secret.

Adjective

1. of the sky or the heavens; celestially refined
• 1667, John Dryden, Annus MirabilisIn th’empyrean heaven, the bless’d abode,
  The Thrones and the Dominions prostrate lie,
  Not daring to behold their angry God.
• 1700, Matthew Prior, Carmen SaeculareYet upward she goddess incessant flies;
  Resolv’d to reach the high empyrean Sphere.
• 1818, John Keats, Lispings empyrean will ii sometimes teach
  Thine honeyed tongue.

Synonyms

• empyreal

Related terms

• pyre