: a curved, hollow goat's horn or similarly shaped receptacle (such as a horn-shaped basket) that is overflowing especially with fruit and vegetables (such as gourds, ears of corn, apples, and grapes) and that is used as a decorative motif emblematic of abundance
We marveled at the cornucopia of fruits, meats, toys, fresh fish, baskets, utensils and leather goods for sale in stalls that lined the streets for as far as we could see.—Guy Garcia
For contemporary performers, soul represents a cornucopia of musical ideas.—Jon Pareles
Cornucopia comes from the Late Latincornu copiae, which translates literally as “horn of plenty.” A traditional staple of feasts, the cornucopia is believed to represent the horn of a goat from Greek mythology. According to legend, it was from this horn, which could be filled with whatever the owner wished, that the god Zeus was fed as an infant by his nurse, the nymph Amalthaea. Later, the horn was filled with flowers and fruits, and given as a present to Zeus. The filled horn (or a receptacle resembling it) has long served as a traditional symbol in art and decoration to suggest a store of abundance. The word first appeared in English in the early 16th century; a century later, it developed the figurative sense of “an overflowing supply.”
The market is a cornucopia of fruits and vegetables.
The book includes a cornucopia of wonderful stories.
Recent Examples on the WebSurrounded by a veritable cornucopia of flowers and a brick patio, the rear door of the primary cottage leads straight into the kitchen.—Madeleine Luckel, Architectural Digest, 16 July 2024 The 36-block Main Street District is a cornucopia of charming local businesses, restaurants, and shops.—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 12 July 2024 Melanie Harrison likewise returned from elsewhere to open The Harrison Chambers of Distinction, a cornucopia of irreverent art, literature, and communal chat.—Timothy O'Grady, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 July 2024 Subverting classical tailoring fabrics like wools and crisp cottons, denim pieces and exposed underwear elastics referenced ‘90s hip-hop, a cornucopia that acted as a powerful comment on what clothing is considered respectable and why.—Violet Goldstone, WWD, 3 Sep. 2019 See all Example Sentences for cornucopia
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cornucopia.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Late Latin, from Latin cornu copiae horn of plenty
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