apotheosis
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.apo·the·o·sis
noun \ə-ˌpä-thē-ˈō-səs, ˌa-pə-ˈthē-ə-səs\ plural apo·the·o·ses\-ˌsēz\
Definition of APOTHEOSIS
1
: elevation to divine status : deification
2
: the perfect example : quintessence <this is the literary apotheosis of the shaggy dog story — Thomas Sutcliffe>
— apo·the·o·size \ˌa-pə-ˈthē-ə-ˌsīz, ə-ˈpä-thē-ə-\ transitive verb
See Examples of APOTHEOSIS
- <the apotheosis of the picaresque novel>
Origin of APOTHEOSIS
Late Latin, from Greek apotheōsis, from apotheoun to deify, from apo- + theos god
First Known Use: circa 1580
Related to APOTHEOSIS
- Synonyms
- acme, quintessence, beau ideal, byword, classic, epitome, exemplar, ideal, perfection
Other Christian Religious Terms
apotheosis
noun (Concise Encyclopedia)Elevation to the status of a god. The term recognizes that some individuals cross the dividing line between human and divine. Ancient Greek religion was disposed to belief in heroes and demigods, and historical figures were sometimes worshiped as gods. Until the end of the republic the Romans accepted only one apotheosis, identifying the god Quirinus with Romulus. The emperor Augustus ordered Julius Caesar recognized as a god and thus began a tradition of deifying emperors.
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