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teraphim

[ter-uh-fim] /ˈtɛr ə fɪm/
plural noun, singular teraph
[ter-uh f] /ˈtɛr əf/ (Show IPA)
1.
idols or images reverenced by the ancient Hebrews and kindred peoples, apparently as household gods.
Origin of teraphim
Middle English
Late Latin
Greek
Hebrew
1350-1400
1350-1400; < Hebrew tərāphīm; replacing Middle English theraphym < Late Latin theraphim (Vulgate) < Greek theraphín (Septuagint) < Hebrew, as above
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2017.
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Examples from the Web for teraph
Historical Examples

  • You, too, will be able to guess some day, without the teraph's help.

    Hypatia Charles Kingsley

  • After all, I liked you from the first moment I saw you, and asked the teraph about you, and I got an answer—such an answer!

    Hypatia Charles Kingsley
British Dictionary definitions for teraph

teraph

/ˈtɛrəf/
noun (pl) -aphim (-əfɪm)
1.
(Old Testament) any of various small household gods or images venerated by ancient Semitic peoples. (Genesis 31:19–21; I Samuel 19:13–16)
Word Origin
C14: from Hebrew, of uncertain origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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11
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