From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]: Phenix \Phe"nix\, n.; pl. Phenixes. [L. phoenix, Gr. foi^nix.] [Written also {ph[oe]nix}.] 1. (Gr. Myth.) A bird fabled to exist single, to be consumed by fire by its own act, and to rise again from its ashes. Hence, an emblem of immortality. [1913 Webster] 2. (Astron.) A southern constellation. [1913 Webster] 3. A marvelous person or thing. [R.] --Latimer. [1913 Webster] 4. A person or thing that suffered destruction or defeat and was restored to its former state. [PJC] to rise like a phoenix, to resume an endeavor after an apparently final defeat. [PJC]