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henotheism

American  
[hen-uh-thee-iz-uhm] / ˈhɛn ə θiˌɪz əm /

noun

  1. the worship of a particular god, as by a family or tribe, without disbelieving in the existence of others.

  2. ascription of supreme divine attributes to whichever one of several gods is addressed at the time.


henotheism British  
/ ˈhɛnəʊθiːˌɪzəm /

noun

  1. the worship of one deity (of several) as the special god of one's family, clan, or tribe

"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

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of henotheism

1855–60; < Greek heno-, combining form of hén one (neuter of heîs ) + theism

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.

See Examples For:

Pettinato theorizes that the Eblaites evolved from polytheism into henotheism, the worship of a supreme creator-god within the pantheon.

From Time Magazine Archive

There is one kind of monotheism, though it would more properly be called theism, or henotheism, which forms the birthright of every human being.

From Chips From A German Workshop - Volume I Essays on the Science of Religion by Müller, F. Max (Friedrich Max)

It marks the highest point to which the Hebrew race attained in its progress from henotheism to monotheism.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 2 "Hearing" to "Helmond" by Various

In Hebrew and Greek times we discover a polytheism, after a long course of development, emerging into henotheism, and finally, here and there, into monotheism.

From An Interpretation of Rudolf Eucken's Philosophy by Jones, W. Tudor (William Tudor)

Investigators in the history of religion trace the steps from polydemonism to polytheism and thence to henotheism and monotheism.

From The Next Step in Religion An Essay toward the Coming Renaissance by Sellars, Roy Wood

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