ˌpaˌnathəˈnēə noun plural
Usage: usually capitalized
Etymology: New Latin, from Greek panathēnaia, from pan- + Athēnaia, from Athēna, Athēnē, major Greek deity, goddess of war, fertility, arts, and wisdom
: the annual or quadrennial festivities of ancient Athens in honor of Athena celebrated in their greater form for several days during the third year of each olympiad and including a great procession in which the people marched to the acropolis bearing an embroidered peplos for their tutelary goddess and also athletic, musical, equestrian, and other contests
• pan·ath·e·nae·an | ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷|nēən adjective , usually capitalized