1. The leader or principal dancer of a corps de ballet; a dancer who ranks between the corps de ballet and a soloist.
Usage: ballet terminology; also spelled coryphée
2. A leader or chief member of a group, organization, or movement.
Usage: archaic; literary

Examples

• The coryphaeus of the ballet company performed a stunning solo during the evening performance.
• She was promoted from the corps de ballet to coryphaeus after years of dedicated training.
• In ancient Greek drama, the coryphaeus was the leader of the chorus.
• The coryphaeus led the ensemble with grace and precision.
• He served as coryphaeus of the political movement for over a decade.