a·poth·e·o·sis (ə-pŏth'ē-ō'sĭs, āp'ə-thē'ə-sĭs) n.
pl.a·poth·e·o·ses (-sēz')
Exaltation to divine rank or stature; deification.
Elevation to a preeminent or transcendent position; glorification: "Many observers have tried to attribute Warhol's current apotheosis to the subversive power of artistic vision"(Michiko Kakutani).
An exalted or glorified example: Their leader was the apotheosis of courage.
[Late Latin apotheōsis, from Greek, from apotheoun, to deify : apo-, change; see apo- + theos, god; see dhēs- in Indo-European roots.]
1605, from L.L. apotheosis, from Gk. apotheosis, from apotheoun "deify, make (someone) a god," from apo- special use of this prefix, meaning, here, "change" + theos "god."