Coryphæus

Chambers's Encyclopaedia, Volume 3: Catarrh to Dion, p. 501

Coryphæus (Gr. koryphē, 'the head'), the leader of the chorus in ancient Greece. The name is now used to signify those of the highest distinction in any art or science. The French coryphée is generally used of the principal danseuse in the ballet.

Source scan(s): p. 0512