monolatry

American  

[muh-nol-uh-tree] / məˈnɒl ə tri /

noun

1. the worship of only one god although other gods are recognized as existing.

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monolatry British  

/ mɒˈnɒlətə, mɒˈnɒlətrɪ /

noun

1. the exclusive worship of one god without excluding the existence of others

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Other Word Forms

• monolater noun
• monolatrist noun
• monolatrous adjective

Etymology

Origin of monolatry

First recorded in 1880–85; mono- + -latry

Example Sentences

In ancestral sciotheism, and in this monolatry, the ethical code, often of a very high order, comes into closer relation with the theological creed.

From Essays Upon Some Controverted Questions by Huxley, Thomas H.

Although Jehovistic monolatry is so potently recommended from without, it yet takes no firm root, never becomes natural to the people, always remains a precept above and beyond their powers.

From Prolegomena by Wellhausen, Julius

It is in the category of monolatry that I conceive the theology of the old Israelites must be ranged.

From Evolution of Theology: an Anthropological Study by Huxley, Thomas Henry

Thus was established a monolatry which was practically monotheism, though a theory of absolute monotheism was never formulated by the pre-Christian Jews.

From Introduction to the History of Religions Handbooks on the History of Religions, Volume IV by Jastrow, Morris

Exclusive monolatry is by no means innate in the cultus; it can only be deduced from considerations which are foreign to the nature of the cultus: it is the antitype of strict monotheism.

From Prolegomena by Wellhausen, Julius