a. [f. L. Trophōnius, Gr. Τροφώνιος, proper name (see below) + -AN.] Pertaining to Trophonius, the mythical builder of the original temple of Apollo at Delphi, who after his death was worshipped as a god, and had an oracle in a cave in Bœotia, which was said to affect those who entered with such awe that they never smiled again: hence allusively.
1792. in Morse, Amer. Geog. (1794), I. 398. Two young ladies … who had heroism enough to make the trophonian [mispr. trophimium] tour with us.
1796. Burke, Regic. Peace, i. Wks. VIII. 109. There is great danger that they who enter smiling into this Trophonian cave, will come out of it sad and serious conspirators.
1803. W. Holloway, Scenes of Youth, 25.
| His lips, inflexible; and, like the wretch, | |
| Who once had enter’d the Trophonian cave, | |
| No smile was ever known to cheer his brow. |
1868. Miss Braddon, Dead-Sea Fruit, II. xiii. 176. Like that bright band whose laughter echoed in Trophonian caves of grim Bastille, before the dawn that was to witness their slaughter, did Emily Jerningham pour out the sparkling vintage of the Rhineland as a libation upon that altar where she was so soon to sacrifice her selfish love.
1896. Gosse, in Contemp. Rev., Jan., 87. His face had the solemn Trophonian pallor, the look of the man who has seen death in the cave.
