Deification Meaning and Definition
Deification
Pronunciation
/ˌdɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
The action or process of regarding or believing someone or something to be a god or a divine being; the state of being considered or worshipped as a god.
Examples
- The ancient Greeks deified their kings and queens.
- The idea of deification is central to many myths and legends.
Synonyms
- Worship
- Adoration
- Divinization
Antonyms
- Profane
- Secular
Etymology
The word “deification” comes from the Latin “deificare,” meaning “to make divine.” It has been used in English since the 15th century to describe the process of elevating someone or something to a godlike status.
Usage Notes
Deification is often used to describe the actions or beliefs of ancient cultures, but it can also be used more broadly to describe the process of elevating someone or something to a position of great reverence or awe.
Cultural References
Deification is a central theme in many mythologies and legends, including Greek mythology and Hinduism.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
“To deify someone” means to treat them as a god or a divine being.
Related Words or Phrases
- Divination
- Worship
- Adoration
Collocations
- Deification of the dead
- Deification of the state
Frequency of Use
The word “deification” is less commonly used in modern English than it was in the past, but it is still used in academic and religious contexts.
Some common misspellings of the word “deification” include “deifcation,” “difification,” and “difificiation.”