catamite

English

Etymology

First attested in English in 1593: from Latin Catamītus, from Etruscan Catmite, from Ancient Greek Γανυμήδης (Ganumḗdēs, “Ganymede”); in Greek mythology, an attractive Trojan boy abducted to Mount Ólympos by the god Zeus to become his cupbearer and, later, his lover.

Pronunciation

• (RP) IPA: /ˈkætəmaɪt/

Noun

catamite (plural catamites)

1. The junior partner in a paederastic relationship.
   • 2007: Esther Hall as Lyde in Episode XVII (episode V of season II): “Heroes of the Republic” of Rome on the 4^th day (and repeated on the 6^th day) of July, 2007

     And what about your brother? –Is he to be a catamite?

Derived terms

• catamitism

See also

• pathic

Translations

catamite

Latin: cinaedus (la) m., pathicus (la) m. Pashto: چسکه (ps) Portuguese: catamita (pt) m.

Sanskrit: विदूषक (sa) (vidūṣaka) m. Turkish: oğlan (tr)