Ădōnis, nis or nĭdis, m., = Ἄδωνις and Ἄδων (nom. Adon, Venant. Carm. 7, 12 and 18; gen. Adonis, Plin. 19, 4, 19, § 49; dat. Adonidi, Cic. N. D. 3, 23; acc. Adonidem, Claud. Nupt. Hon. et Mar. 16: Adonim, Prop. 3, 5, 37, acc. to Müller, Adonem: Adonem, Serv. ad Verg. E. 10, 18; Arnob. 4, p. 184; voc. Adoni, Ov. M. 10, 542; abl. Adone, Ap. Met. 8, 25, 14).
I A son of Cinyras , king of Cyprus , beloved by Venus on account of his extraordinary beauty; he was torn in pieces in the chase by a wild boar, which Mars (acc. to some, Diana) sent against him out of jealousy, but was changed by Venus to a flower, which bore the name Adonium, and was yearly bewailed by her on the anniversary of his death, Ov. M. 10, 503 sq.; Macr. S. 1, 21; Serv. ad Verg. E. 8, 37; cf. with 10, 18, and Adonia: Adonis horti, Gr. κῆποι Ἀδώνιδος, pots of lettuce and other plants , which blossom quick , but wither as soon , Plin. 19, 4, 19, § 49; cf. Böttig. Sab. 1, 264.—
II A name of the Sun-god among the Assyrians and Phoenicians , Macr. S. 1, 21.—
III A name of a fish , i. q. exocoetus, Plin. 9, 19, 34, § 70.