coryphée

Meanings

1. Synonym of coryphaeus.
2. The conductor or leader of the chorus of a drama.
3. The chief or leader of an interest or party.
4. A ballet dancer ranking above a member of the corps de ballet and below a soloist.

Etymology

Borrowed from French coryphée, from Latin coryphaeus, from Ancient Greek κορυφαῖος (koruphaîos, “leader of the chorus in an Ancient Greek drama”), from κορῠφή (korŭphḗ, “top of the head, crown”) (possibly ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *ḱerh₂- (“head, top; horn”)) + -ῐος (-ĭos, suffix forming adjectives meaning ‘belonging to, pertaining to’).