hagiology

[ hag-ee-ol-uh-jee, hey-jee- ]

noun

, plural hag·i·ol·o·gies

1. the branch of literature dealing with the lives and legends of the saints.
2. a biography or narrative of a saint or saints.
3. a collection of such biographies or narratives.

hagiology

/ ˌhæɡɪˈɒlədʒɪ; ˌhæɡɪəˈlɒdʒɪk /

noun

1. literature concerned with the lives and legends of saints
2. 1. a biography of a saint
   2. a collection of such biographies
3. an authoritative canon of saints
4. a history of sacred writings

Derived Forms

• hagiologic, adjective
• ˌhagiˈologist, noun

Other Words From

• hag·i·o·log·ic [hag-ee-, uh, -, loj, -ik, hey-jee-], hagi·o·logi·cal adjective
• hagi·olo·gist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of hagiology¹

First recorded in 1800–10; hagio- + -logy

Example Sentences

There is no doubt that the saints of Irish origin supply by far the more important portion of our hagiology.

From Project Gutenberg

The composition seems to be intended as a satire on the monks, and in particular as a travesty of medieval hagiology.

From Project Gutenberg

She appears constantly in Gaelic hagiology, and with poetic as well as saintly fame casting a halo about her yellow hair.

From Project Gutenberg

There are some, like a lady I once knew, who think that hagiology is the scientific study of hags.

From Project Gutenberg

He was speaking of the New Testament, and he said, The truth was in it; but they had covered it up with their hagiology.

From Project Gutenberg