phalaris

/ˈfæləraɪz/

Definitions

1. noun

A genus of grasses, or a king of ancient Sicily, known for cruelty.

“Phalaris was the infamous tyrant of ancient Sicily, notorious for his brutal methods of ruling.”

2. noun

A device for heating by means of a hot current of air, especially one consisting of a series of metal pipes.

“The engineers installed a phalaris to warm the cold factory floor during the winter.”

Synonyms

  • grass
  • tyrant

Antonyms

  • democrat
  • liberator