Patmos

Part of speech: noun, proper noun

Definitions

1. An island in the Aegean Sea known for its historical and religious significance
2. A Greek island famous for being the site of the biblical revelation attributed to St. John
3. A location in the Dodecanese group associated with early Christian writings and pilgrimage

Etymology: Patmos is a small island in the Aegean Sea, and its name comes straight from Ancient Greek, where it was written Πάτμος. English took the name directly from that Greek form, so the island's ancient name survives almost unchanged in modern maps and texts. The island's fame is religious rather than linguistic. Tradition holds that the author of the Book of Revelation wrote it while exiled there, which is why the name appears so often in Christian writing and why monasteries built on the island became centres of learning and pilgrimage. Many visitors today still come for that connection.

Synonyms: island of Patmos