messianic

British  

/ mɛˈsaɪənɪzəm, ˌmɛsɪˈænɪk /

adjective

1. (sometimes capital) Bible

   1. of or relating to the Messiah, his awaited deliverance of the Jews, or the new age of peace expected to follow this

   2. of or relating to Jesus Christ or the salvation believed to have been brought by him

2. 1. of or relating to any popular leader promising deliverance or an ideal era of peace and prosperity

   2. of or relating to promises of this kind or to an ideal era of this kind

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• messianically
  adverb
• messianism
  noun

Explanation

Use the adjective messianic to describe something that has to do with a messiah, or savior, especially a religious one. In Judaism, a messianic figure is predicted to appear in the future, and in Christianity that messianic role is filled by Jesus Christ. You can also describe a more earthbound savior as messianic — you might say that after a long, hot soccer match, your mom's arrival with a cooler full of water bottles seems almost messianic. The adjective comes from the noun messiah, which has an Aramic root, meshiha, or "the anointed of the Lord."

Related Words

• divine
• hallowed
• humble
• pure
• revered
• righteous
• spiritual
• sublime