golem
Americannoun
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Jewish Folklore. a figure artificially constructed in the form of a human being and endowed with life.
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a stupid and clumsy person; blockhead.
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an automaton.
noun
Etymology
Origin of golem
First recorded in 1895–1900; (via Yiddish goylem ) from Biblical Hebrew gōlem “something wrapped together, shapeless mass; embryo”
Explanation
A golem is a magical character in Jewish folklore, a clay figure that comes to life. The earliest history of Judaism includes the oldest-known stories about golems. In the Jewish holy book the Talmud, God's formation of Adam is described as the making of a golem, shaped from mud and dust. There are many more tales of golems in Judaism, and golems also appear in Polish folktales and even stories by the Brothers Grimm. Robots and automatons are sometimes described as golems, or machines made in the form of a human being. In Hebrew, golem means "shapeless mass" or "embryo."
Vocabulary lists containing golem
More English Words Derived from Yiddish
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2015 Spelling Bee - Words from Round 3
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This Week In Culture: October 17–23, 2020
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
This impulse is an ancient one: The idea that one might bind a djinn, create a golem or manipulate a god or fairy to do your bidding is inscribed deep in the human imagination.
From Seattle Times • Mar. 3, 2023
The rabbis also concluded that while a golem could not be considered a full person, it was still important to treat it with respect.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 3, 2023
The medieval golem isn’t a proto-robot, and it isn’t a parable about uncontrolled power.
From Slate • Jul. 25, 2022
We’ve been dreaming of artificial humans for thousands of years — from the singing, gold-forged Celedones of ancient Greek myth to the golem of Jewish folklore, molded from clay and animated by sacred words.
From The Verge • May 4, 2022
Holding the pumpkin at his waist with both hands, leaning back a bit to stay balanced, Seth approached the golem.
From "Fablehaven" by Brandon Mull
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
