Balderdash for the Medieval Gay #34

(a compendium of queer words for the modern fag with a passion for the Middle Ages added hebdomadally on the Sabbath day)

34.) Ennead
-noun singular

a.) The number nine.

b.) Any system or grouping containing nine objects.*

[Origin: from the Greek enneas which means "from nine."]

* As a multiple, three times three, the number nine became associated, religiously, as a great cardinal power, and many ancient peoples considered groupings of nine objects or deities very important. It is likely that this belief was imposed upon the diverse groupings of deities who were included in the Egyptian pantheon and manifested itself in the Great Ennead (or Ennead of Heliopolis). Famous enneads include the Egyptian pesedjets, the muses, the vestal virgins, and the angelic choirs to name a few. A miracle in the passion of Saint Brigid of Ireland was the appearance of an ennead of white deer that indicated the proper location to build an abbey.