demonolatry
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- The worship of demons or evil spirits: "Demonolatry" refers to the religious or ritualistic veneration, adoration, or worship of demons, devils, or malevolent supernatural entities. It involves acts, rites, or practices directed toward these beings.
Usage
- "Demonolatry" is a formal, academic term used primarily in the contexts of religious studies, anthropology, and history to describe specific belief systems or practices. It is not a common word in everyday conversation.
Examples
- Noun:
- Historical records from the medieval period sometimes accused heretical sects of practicing demonolatry.
- The anthropologist's paper analyzed the traces of ancient demonolatry in the region's folklore.
Advanced Usage
- The term can be used metaphorically in literary or critical contexts to describe an obsessive devotion to a destructive or evil principle.
- The critic described the dictator's cult of personality as a form of political demonolatry.
Variants and Related Words
- Demonolater (noun): A person who worships demons.
- The text described the rituals of the demonolaters.
- Demonolatrous (adjective): Pertaining to or characterized by the worship of demons.
- They investigated the demonolatrous cult.
Synonyms
- Devil-worship: The worship of the Devil or devils.
- Diabolatry: Another formal term for the worship of the devil.
Notes on Meaning
- "Demonolatry" specifically denotes the act of demons. It is distinct from:
- Demonology: The study of demons.
- Sorcery or Witchcraft: Which may involve conjuring or commanding demons but not necessarily worshiping them.
Noun
- the acts or rites of worshiping devils