euhemerism

[ yoo-hee-muh-riz-uh m, -hem-uh- ]
/ yuˈhi məˌrɪz əm, -ˈhɛm ə- /

noun

(often initial capital letter) the theory of Euhemerus that the mythologies of various gods arose out of the deification of dead heroes.
the theory that mythology is derived from history.

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weal
well-being, prosperity, or happiness.
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Origin of euhemerism

First recorded in 1840–50; Euhemer(us) + -ism

OTHER WORDS FROM euhemerism

eu·he·mer·ist, nouneu·he·mer·is·tic, adjectiveeu·he·mer·is·ti·cal·ly, adverb

Words nearby euhemerism

eugnathia, eugonic, eugène, eugénie, euhedral, euhemerism, euhemerize, euhemerus, eukaryotae, eukaryote, eukinetics
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for euhemerism

British Dictionary definitions for euhemerism

euhemerism
/ (juːˈhiːməˌrɪzəm) /

noun

the theory that gods arose out of the deification of historical heroes
any interpretation of myths that derives the gods from outstanding men and seeks the source of mythology in history

Derived forms of euhemerism

euhemerist, nouneuhemeristic, adjectiveeuhemeristically, adverb

Word Origin for euhemerism

C19: named after Euhemerus (?300 bc), Greek philosopher who propounded this theory
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