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What is the origin of word zephyr in Greek mythology?

In Greek mythology, Zephyrus (Ζέφυρος) wasn't a single, personified entity like some other gods, but rather one of the four winds. He was the west wind, often depicted as a gentle and pleasant breeze, unlike the harsher winds of the north and east. His name's origin isn't from a specific myth but rather reflects its meaning: It likely comes from the Greek word *zophos* (ζόφος), meaning "darkness" or "west." This suggests a connection to the setting sun in the west, the direction from which Zephyrus blows.

Therefore, the word "zephyr" doesn't have a mythological *origin story* in the sense of a particular tale explaining its creation, but rather its etymology is linked to the direction and character of the west wind itself as conceived by the ancient Greeks.

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