The Facts on File Dictionary of Allusions - Green Valley High School

asic laws of mathematics, such as the Pythagorean
theorem, by the time they take their fi rst major set of
examinations.
pythonesque See monty python.
Pythias See damon and pythias.
python A family of large, nonvenomous snakes
native to Africa, southern Asia, and Australia that
kill their prey by constriction. <strong>The</strong>y are named
after a monstrous snake of Greek mythology
called the Python. Legend had it that this serpent
arose from the mud following the fl ood sent by
Zeus that drowned everyone except Deucalion
and his wife, Pyrrha. <strong>The</strong> Python became the
guardian of Delphi until killed by Apollo, who set
up his oracle there and established the Pythian
Games to celebrate his victory. <strong>The</strong> feather boa
curled like a python round her generous fi gure.
python
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