demigod

See also: demi-god

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

demi- + god. Calque of the Latin semideus (half-god), which is probably a coining by the Roman poet Ovid for less important gods such as dryads.

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˈdɛmɪɡɒd/
  • (US) IPA(key): /ˈdɛmɪɡɑd/

Noun

demigod (plural demigods)

  1. A half-god or hero; the offspring of a deity and a mortal.
  2. Someone held up for reverence as a supreme example.
    • 1837, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], Ethel Churchill: Or, The Two Brides. [], volume I, London: Henry Colburn, [], OCLC 21345056, page 99:
      "Ah! he is one of your idols, I suppose," said Lord Norbourne, with a slight approach to a sneer. "Youth is prone to admire; but it is odd how, in a few years, we discover the defects of our demigods...

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