Main Entry: ¹gos·pel

Pronunciation: \ˈgäs-pəl\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English gōdspel (translation of Late Latin evangelium), from gōd good + spell tale — more at spell

Date: before 12th century

1 a often capitalized : the message concerning Christ, the kingdom of God, and salvation b capitalized : one of the first four New Testament books telling of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ; also : a similar apocryphal book c : an interpretation of the Christian message <the social gospel>
2 capitalized : a lection from one of the New Testament Gospels
3 : the message or teachings of a religious teacher
4 : something accepted or promoted as infallible truth or as a guiding principle or doctrine <took her words as gospel> <spreading the gospel of conservation — R. M. Hodesh>
5 : gospel music

— gos·pel·ly \ˈgäs-pə-lē\ adjective