1.(Greek mythology) a simple countryman who offered hospitality to Zeus and Hermes when they came to earth without revealing their identities in order to test people's piety • Topics: Greek mythology • Instance Hypernyms: countryman, ruralist 2.(New Testament) a Christian (probably living in Colossae) whose slave escaped and went to see Saint Paul • Topics: New Testament • Instance Hypernyms: Colossian 3. a New Testament book containing an epistle from Saint Paul to Philemon asking Philemon to forgive the slave for escaping • Syn: Epistle of Paul the Apostle to Philemon, Epistle to Philemon • Instance Hypernyms: Epistle, New Testament