apotheosis
/ə,pɔθi'ousi:z/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- The elevation of a person to the status of a god: The act of raising a human being to the level of a deity, often after death, as an honor.
- The perfect example or model of something; the highest point of development or glory: The quintessential or most supreme embodiment of a particular quality or concept.
Examples of Usage
Elevation to divine status:
- The Roman emperor's apotheosis was celebrated with grand ceremonies.
- Ancient myths often describe the apotheosis of heroes.
Perfect example; highest point:
- Many consider that performance to be the apotheosis of her career.
- This dish is the apotheosis of French cuisine.
Advanced Usage
"to achieve apotheosis": to reach the highest possible level or state.
- The artist's late work achieved its apotheosis in this final, magnificent series.
"the apotheosis of [something]": used to describe something that is the ultimate or most perfect form of an idea or style.
- The Gothic cathedral is often seen as the apotheosis of medieval architecture.
Variants and Related Words
- Apotheosize (verb): To make someone or something into a god; to idealize or glorify to an extreme degree.
- The culture tended to apotheosize its political leaders.
Synonyms
- Deification: The action of making someone a god.
- Quintessence: The most perfect or typical example of a quality or class.
- Pinnacle: The most successful point; the culmination.
- Paragon: A model of excellence or perfection.
Related Phrases and Idioms
- "The apotheosis of [an era/style]": A common phrase used in historical or artistic analysis to denote the peak or defining masterpiece of a period.
- The film is considered the apotheosis of the silent movie era.
Noun
- the elevation of a person (as to the status of a god)
- model of excellence or perfection of a kind; one having no equal