: 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 Latin cornu 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 that the god Zeus was fed as an infant. 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 WebThe property is known in part for its hundreds of exotic plant species, densely packed and artfully arranged into a thriving botanical cornucopia. Gregory Thomas, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Aug. 2022 Republicans solidly opposed the legislation, calling it a cornucopia of wasteful liberal daydreams that would raise taxes and families’ living costs. Alan Fram, Anchorage Daily News, 12 Aug. 2022 Republicans solidly opposed the legislation, calling it a cornucopia of wasteful liberal daydreams that would raise taxes and families’ living costs.The Salt Lake Tribune, 12 Aug. 2022 Republicans solidly opposed the legislation, calling it a cornucopia of wasteful liberal daydreams that would raise taxes and families’ living costs. Alan Fram, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2022 Republicans solidly opposed the legislation, calling it a cornucopia of wasteful liberal daydreams that would raise taxes and families’ living costs. Alan Fram, BostonGlobe.com, 12 Aug. 2022 This area is a four-season cornucopia of outdoor recreation.Sunset Magazine, 9 Aug. 2022 For the next three days, downtown Phoenix will be a cornucopia of cosplay. Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 27 May 2022 The experience is overstuffed, a cornucopia of photos from vaguely familiar acquaintances and incongruous sponsored and suggested posts.Wired, 22 July 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Late Latin, from Latin cornu copiae horn of plenty