henotheism
Americannoun
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the worship of a particular god, as by a family or tribe, without disbelieving in the existence of others.
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ascription of supreme divine attributes to whichever one of several gods is addressed at the time.
noun
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.
Pettinato theorizes that the Eblaites evolved from polytheism into henotheism, the worship of a supreme creator-god within the pantheon.
From Time Magazine Archive
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)
The latter form of faith, the belief in One God, is properly called monotheism, whereas the term of henotheism would best express the faith in a single god.
From Chips From A German Workshop - Volume I Essays on the Science of Religion by Müller, F. Max (Friedrich Max)
There was no henotheism, no worship of several single supreme deities: One only was supreme.
From Moon Lore by Harley, Timothy
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
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.
