Satan

[seyt-n]

noun

1. the chief evil spirit; the great adversary of humanity; the devil.

Satan

/ ˈseɪtən /

noun

1. the devil, adversary of God, and tempter of mankind: sometimes identified with Lucifer (Luke 4:5–8)

Satan

1. The devil. In the Bible (see also Bible), Satan is identified with the tempter who encourages the fall of Adam and Eve; he is the accuser who torments Job in the hope that he will curse God; the one who offers Jesus all the kingdoms of the world if Jesus will worship him (see Get thee behind me, Satan); and the evil one who puts betrayal in the heart of Judas. Satan will one day be confined in hell, but until then he is free to roam the Earth.

Satan has been depicted in many ways: as a man with horns, goat hooves, a pointed tail, a pointed beard, and a pitchfork; as a dragon; and sometimes as an angel with large batlike wings.

Satan is the power of darkness opposed to the light of Christ; he is thus sometimes referred to as the Prince of Darkness.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Satan¹

before 900; Middle English, Old English < Late Latin < Greek Satân, Satán < Hebrew śātān adversary

Word History and Origins

Origin of Satan¹

Old English, from Late Latin, from Greek, from Hebrew: plotter, from sātan to plot against

Example Sentences

He said the letter had been "signed in blood" and "pledged his soul to Satan" but claimed it was "just a joke".

From BBC

“Fights, Camera, Action” features an excerpt of a 1988 interview with the woman whose toaster is allegedly possessed by Satan, featured on the “Today” show.

From Salon

“South Park” has previously depicted Satan as being the victim in an abusive relationship with Saddam Hussein.

From Los Angeles Times

“The enemy thinks that he won, that there was a battle won today,” he said, referencing Satan.

From Los Angeles Times

She claimed the event was filled with “occult symbols” and ceremonies, calling it not just an eccentric festival but “one of the most effective tools for Satan to misdirect souls away from our Heavenly Father.”

From Los Angeles Times