Definition

1. Proper noun:

   • A Canaanite and Phoenician deity: A god worshipped in ancient times, to whom parents were said to sacrifice their children.
   • A tyrannical force or power: A figurative term for any demanding force, institution, or principle that requires extreme sacrifice, especially of human life or values.

2. Noun:

   • A spiny Australian lizard: Any lizard of the genus Moloch, characterized by a fearsome, thorny appearance but a diet of ants.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun (deity):

  • The ancient texts describe the idol of Moloch as a bronze statue with outstretched arms.
  • Parents were said to pass their children through fire as an offering to Moloch.

• Proper noun (figurative, tyrannical force):

  • The poet described war as a great Moloch, devouring the youth of the nation.
  • In his essay, he argued that unregulated industry had become the new Moloch of the age.

• Noun (lizard):

  • The moloch, also known as the thorny devil, is a unique reptile found in the Australian desert.
  • We observed a moloch moving slowly across the sand to feed at an ant trail.

Advanced Usage

• Capitalization: When referring to the deity or the figurative power, "Moloch" is typically capitalized. When referring to the lizard, it is often not capitalized in common usage, though the scientific genus name Moloch is.

  • They spoke of sacrificing to Moloch. (deity)
  • We saw a moloch on our hike. (lizard)

• Figurative Use as a Symbol: Often used in political, social, or philosophical discourse to criticize systems perceived as insatiably consuming human resources or lives.

  • The memoir portrayed the totalitarian state as a modern Moloch.

Variants and Related Words

• Molochism (n, rare): A system or practice involving monstrous sacrifice, akin to that offered to Moloch.
• Thorny devil (n): The common name for the lizard.

Synonyms

• Deity/Figurative Power: Baal (another Canaanite deity often associated with sacrifice), juggernaut, behemoth, monster.
• Lizard: Thorny devil, mountain devil.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• Sacrifice to Moloch: To make a great or ruinous sacrifice, especially of something precious, to a destructive cause or demand.
  • The CEO argued that cutting safety standards was like sacrificing to Moloch for the sake of profit.
• Moloch of [X]: A common construction where [X] is the consuming force (e.g., war, industry, duty, fashion).
  • He saw the relentless pursuit of fame as the Moloch of modern celebrity culture.

Noun

1. any lizard of the genus Moloch
2. god of the Canaanites and Phoenicians to whom parents sacrificed their children
3. a tyrannical power to be propitiated by human subservience or sacrifice
   • the great Moloch of war
   • duty has become the Moloch of modern life- Norman Douglas