from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Calliope \Cal*li"o*pe\ (k[a^]l*l[imac]"[-o]*p[-e]), n. [L.
Calliope, Gr. Kallio`ph, lit, the beautiful-voiced; pref.
kalli- (from kalo`s beautiful) + 'o`ps, 'opo`s, voice.]
1. (Class. Myth.) The Muse that presides over eloquence and
heroic poetry; mother of Orpheus, and chief of the nine
Muses.
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2. (Astron.) One of the asteroids. See {Solar}.
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3. A musical instrument consisting of a series of steam
whistles, toned to the notes of the scale, and played by
keys arranged like those of an organ. It is sometimes
attached to steamboat boilers.
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4. (Zool.) A beautiful species of humming bird ({Stellula
Calliope}) of California and adjacent regions.
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