from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Phenix \Phe"nix\, n.; pl. {Phenixes}. [L. phoenix, Gr. foi^nix.]
[Written also {ph[oe]nix}.]
1. (Gr. Myth.) A bird fabled to exist single, to be consumed
by fire by its own act, and to rise again from its ashes.
Hence, an emblem of immortality.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Astron.) A southern constellation.
[1913 Webster]
3. A marvelous person or thing. [R.] --Latimer.
[1913 Webster]
4. A person or thing that suffered destruction or defeat and
was restored to its former state.
[PJC]
{to rise like a phoenix}, to resume an endeavor after an
apparently final defeat.
[PJC]