mythology

my·thol·o·gy

noun \mi-ˈthä-lə-jē\

plural my·thol·o·gies

Definition of MYTHOLOGY

1

: an allegorical narrative

2

: a body of myths: as a : the myths dealing with the gods, demigods, and legendary heroes of a particular people b : mythos 2 <cold war mythology>

3

: a branch of knowledge that deals with myth

4

: a popular belief or assumption that has grown up around someone or something : myth 2a <defective mythologies that ignore masculine depth of feeling — Robert Bly>

— my·thol·o·ger \-jər\ noun

— my·thol·o·gist \-jist\ noun

Examples of MYTHOLOGY

1. We have been studying ancient Greek mythology.
2. We compared the two cultures' mythologies.
3. There is a popular mythology that he discovered the cause of the disease by himself.

Origin of MYTHOLOGY

French or Late Latin; French mythologie, from Late Latin mythologia interpretation of myths, from Greek, legend, myth, from mythologein to relate myths, from mythos + logos speech — more at legend

First Known Use: 1603

Related to MYTHOLOGY

Synonyms: legend, legendry, lore, myth, folklore, mythos, tradition

Related Words: folklife; information, knowledge, wisdom; anecdote, fable, folktale, old wives' tale, tale, yarn

[+]more[-]hide

Other Mythology and Folklore Terms

elysian, fay, muse, nimbus, phoenix