Doctor of Divinity
1
8.6
- noun
- /ˈdɒktər əv dɪˈvɪnɪti/
- Specialized
:
Doctor en Divinidad
- After years of dedicated study, she was awarded a Doctor of Divinity for her contributions to theology.
Examples
-
He received an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Brewton-Parker College.
-
The job description for this case should include a Ph.D. in history and a Doctor of Divinity.
Fiction book (1992) -
We now know that he was Robert Dorsett, an Oxford Doctor of Divinity whose fast-track career was cut short by his early death.
Fiction book (1996) -
His title of Doctor of Divinity reflects his extensive knowledge and scholarship in religious studies.
Synonyms
27
8.0
A high university degree in the study of religion often given to church leaders
A university degree for advanced study and research about religion
An advanced university degree in the study of religion
The highest university degree in theology given by the Catholic Church
How Advanced
- Specialized
1
8.6
61
3.3
34
2.7
307
2.7
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly compositional: 'Doctor' (a high academic title) + 'of' + 'divinity' (the field of theology) yields 'a doctoral degree in theology.' The 'Doctor of X' pattern is common across languages and English, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words can readily infer the MWE's meaning.
Etymology
Doctor of Divinity comes from old universities where Doctor meant 'teacher' and Divinity meant 'religion' or 'God'. The title was given to the top teachers of religion, so today it means a high university degree in the study of religion.