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Glite Dictionary
hierolatry

hierolatry

9.9
An act of worship that treats saints or holy people like gods
  • noun
  • /ˌhaɪəˈrɒlətri/
  • Specialized
translation icon : hierolatría
  • Some ancient cultures practiced hierolatry as an accepted part of their religious traditions.

Examples

  • The historian discussed the influence of hierolatry in the early Christian church.

  • Many cultures have a history of hierolatry towards their ancestors.

  • Debates over hierolatry have shaped church doctrine across centuries.

  • The community practiced hierolatry with great devotion.

  • Some ancient cultures practiced hierolatry as an accepted part of their religious traditions.

  • Many cultures have a history of hierolatry towards their ancestors.

  • The historian discussed the influence of hierolatry in the early Christian church.

Synonyms

hagiolatry
vshierolatry
  • Specialized
9.9

Worship or great respect shown to saints

is the same meaning but expressed in plain, general wording
worship of man
vshierolatry
9.5

Treating a person as if they were a god

is narrower, focusing on recognized holy persons rather than any human

Antonyms

atheism
198 5.8

To not believe that God or gods exist

secularism
16 6.8

The idea that religion should not be part of government, schools, or public life

How Devout

hierolatry
  • Specialized
9.9
worship
143 3.4
veneration
  • Formal
4 7.8
reverence
35 6.3
adoration
16 3.4
respect
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

hierolatry singular
hierolatries plural

Morphology

hierolatry = hiero + latry

Both elements are learned combining forms (hiero- 'sacred', -latry 'worship') rather than productive, standalone English words, so an average learner cannot derive the meaning from the parts.

Etymology

The word hierolatry comes from Greek parts hier- meaning 'sacred' and -latry meaning 'worship', and you can remember -latry from the common word idolatry ('worship of idols'). So hierolatry is the worship of saints or other sacred people.