centaur in Greek mythology, a creature with the head, arms, and torso of a man and the body and legs of a horse. They are said to have been defeated by the Lapiths in the battle after the wedding of Pirithous, when they tried to carry off the bride and other women; in classical Greek thought they may have symbolized animal nature.

The name comes via Latin from Greek kentauros, the Greek name for a Thessalonian tribe of expert horsemen; of unknown ultimate origin.

centaur In Greek mythology, a creature half-human, half-horse. One of a warlike and lustful race of mountain-dwellers who roamed Mount Pelion in Thessaly, their debauched behaviour was exacerbated by wine. See also Chiron

cen·taur / ˈsenˌtôr/ • n. Greek Mythol. a creature with the head, arms, and torso of a man and the body and legs of a horse.

centaur

centaur fabulous creature, half man, half horse. XIV. — L. centaurus — Gr. kéntauros, of unkn. orig.