a. and sb. [f. L. Cytherēa = Gr. Κυθέρεια a name of Aphrodite or Venus, from Κύθηρα Cythera, Cerigo.] A. adj.
1. Pertaining to Venus; also transf. (cf. B).
1866. Elgin Cathedral Guide, 45. A Cytheraean temple under State supervision and protection.
2. Pertaining to the planet Venus.
1885. Clerke, Pop. Hist. Astron., 284. Three distinct atmospheres—the solar, terrestrial, and cytherean—combine to deform outlines.
B. sb. A votaress of Venus; a prostitute attached to a heathen temple in India; also generally.
1751. Beau-philosopher, 238. The Baron … obliged him … to tack about to some other Cytherean.
1807. J. Johnson, Orient. Voy., 96. The contaminated embrace of a modern Cytherean.
