English Explanatory Dictionary

euhemerize

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To invent a plausible but fanciful historical origin for something in order to rationalize mythology and legends.
  2. To create mythology and legends from ancient historical figures and events.

Pronunciation

/juˈhiməˌɹaɪz/ /juːˈhiːməˌɹaɪz/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Naomi Persephone Amethyst (NaomiAmethyst)-euhemerize.wav

Word forms

euhemerize euhemerizes euhemerizing euhemerized euhemerise

Etymology

From euhemerism + -ize, ultimately from Latin Euhēmerus, from Ancient Greek Εὐήμερος (Euḗmeros), an ancient Greek Sicilian Skeptic who proposed most or all mythology derived from historical figures and natural events which received supernatural characteristics only through retelling.

Synonyms

demythologize undeify[personage]]s are the direct objects> rationalize mythologize deify[personage]]s are the direct objects>

Related words

euhemerism euhemerist

Derived words

euhemerization
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