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household god

noun

Definition of household god

1 household gods plural : lares and penates 2
2 : a deeply respected or revered person, thing, idea, or custom
  • the Victorian household gods Respectability, Prudery and Humbug squat smugly on their pedestals
  • —New York Herald Tribune

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First Known Use of household god

1546

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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