henotheism

[ hen-uh-thee-iz-uhm ]

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.

Origin of henotheism

1
1855–60; <Greek heno-, combining form of hén one (neuter of heîs) + theism

Other words from henotheism

  • hen·o·the·ist, noun
  • hen·o·the·is·tic, adjective

Words Nearby henotheism

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use henotheism in a sentence

  • There was no henotheism, no worship of several single supreme deities: One only was supreme.

    Moon Lore | Timothy Harley
  • It marks the highest point to which the Hebrew race attained in its progress from henotheism to monotheism.

  • It would thus appear almost as if all gods are one god to Mr. Frazer by a kind of scientific 'henotheism.'

    Magic and Religion | Andrew Lang
  • henotheism, a polytheism which assigns to one god of the pantheon superiority over the rest.

    The Nuttall Encyclopaedia | Edited by Rev. James Wood
  • In contrast with 'henotheism' or 'monolatry,' such as the worship of the early Hebrews.

    Outspoken Essays | William Ralph Inge

British Dictionary definitions for henotheism

henotheism

/ (ˈhɛnəʊθiːˌɪzəm) /


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

Origin of henotheism

1
C19: from Greek heis one + theos god

Derived forms of henotheism

  • henotheist, noun
  • henotheistic, adjective

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