euhemerism

[ yoo-hee-muh-riz-uhm, -hem-uh- ]

/ yuˈhi məˌrɪz əm, -ˈhɛm ə- /

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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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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

eugeosyncline, Euglena, euglenophyte, eugonic, euhedral, euhemerism, euhemerize, Euhemerus, Eukaryota, eukaryote, eukaryotic

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use euhemerism in a sentence

Euhemerism is shown by the last three being represented as originally kings of Rome.
The Student's Companion to Latin Authors|George Middleton
They both apply the principles of Euhemerism to resolve the bright creations of the old mythology into their original elements.
The Roman Poets of the Republic|William Young Sellar
The Euhemerism of this is hardly like the wonder-loving Jones.
British Goblins|Wirt Sikes
Unfortunately, however, there is no guide more delusive than Euhemerism.
Studies of the Greek Poets (Vol I of 2)|John Addington Symonds

Ennius translated this work into Latin, and the rationalizing method was called Euhemerism.
Studies of the Greek Poets (Vol I of 2)|John Addington Symonds

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