noun
Uncommon
Athena
uh-THEE-nuh
Athena (noun) means slang for a woman regarded as supporting or upholding patriarchal norms rather than opposing them. Example: “The article criticized so-called athenas who dismiss other women's complaints.”
noun
1
Slang for a woman regarded as supporting or upholding patriarchal norms rather than opposing them.
"The last thing feminist Athenas see about corporate structures, government, or academia is that they are run by benevolent and all-protective fathers."
— Jennifer Barker Woolger, Roger J. Woolger (1989)
"Women who do decide to become scientists find themselves under attack from the self-proclaimed "echt" feminists, who call them "Athenas" and "Queen Bees.""
— Noretta Koertge, Skeptical Inquirer (1995)
"The article criticized so-called athenas who dismiss other women's complaints."
How to use Athena
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA slang, often critical, term rather than the goddess's name itself.
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Word forms
- Plural
- Athenas
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The article criticized so-called _____ who dismiss other women's complaints.
Etymology
From Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom and warfare, reinterpreted in modern slang as a critical label.
Synonyms
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Athene
Pallas
Related words
Rhymes for Athena
See all rhymes for Athena →Frequently asked questions
What does “Athena” mean?
The word “Athena” means slang for a woman regarded as supporting or upholding patriarchal norms rather than opposing them. In plain terms, a slang, often critical, term rather than the goddess's name itself.
How do you pronounce “Athena”?
“Athena” is pronounced uh-THEE-nuh (/əˈθiːnə/ in IPA).
How do you use “Athena” in a sentence?
Here is “Athena” used in a sentence: “The article criticized so-called athenas who dismiss other women's complaints.”
What part of speech is “Athena”?
“Athena” is a noun.
Where does the word “Athena” come from?
The word “Athena” comes from Greek. From Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom and warfare, reinterpreted in modern slang as a critical label.
Is “Athena” a common word?
“Athena” is an uncommon word in modern English.
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