English Explanatory Dictionary

mythology

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. The collection of myths of a people, concerning the origin of the people, history, deities, ancestors and heroes.
  2. A similar body of myths concerning an event, person or institution.
  3. Pervasive elements of a fictional universe that resemble a mythological universe.
  4. The set of misconceptions and false attitudes that are held about something and contribute to its perception.
  5. The systematic collection and study of myths.

Pronunciation

mĭthôlôjē /mɪˈθɒl.ə.d͡ʒi/ /mɪˈθɑ.lə.d͡ʒi/ en-us-mythology.ogg

Word forms

mythology mythologies

Etymology

First attested as Middle English in 1412. From Middle French mythologie, from Latin mythologia, from Ancient Greek μυθολογία (muthología, “legend”) μυθολογέω (muthologéō, “to tell tales”), from μυθολόγος (muthológos, “legend”), from μῦθος (mûthos, “story”) + λέγω (légō, “to say”). By surface analysis, myth + -ology or mytho- + -logy.

Synonyms

godlore

Derived words

astromythology etymythology geomythology mytharc mythologian mythological mythologist mythologize neomythology neuromythology pseudomythology xenomythology
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