O.E. godspel "good news," from god "good" + spel "story, message," translation of L. bona adnuntiatio, itself a translation of Gk. euangelion "reward for bringing good news." First element of the O.E. word had a long "o," but it shifted under mistaken assoc. with God.Gospel-gossip was Addison's word ("Spectator," 1711) for "one who is always talking of sermons, texts, etc."
the four books in the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) that tell the story of Christ's life and teachings
2.
an unquestionable truth; "his word was gospel"
3.
folk music consisting of a genre of a cappella music originating with Black slaves in the United States and featuring call and response; influential on the development of other genres of popular music (especially soul)
4.
the written body of teachings of a religious group that are generally accepted by that group [syn: religious doctrine]
5.
a doctrine that is believed to be of great importance; "Newton's writings were gospel for those who followed"
(one of the four descriptions in the Bible of) the life and teaching of Christ Example: the Gospel according to St Luke; The parable of the sower is in one of the gospels.
God\ (g[o^]d), n. [AS. god; akin to OS. & D. god, OHG. got, G. gott, Icel. gu[eth], go[eth], Sw. & Dan. gud, Goth. gup, prob. orig. a p. p. from a root appearing in Skr. h[=u], p. p. h[=u]ta, to call upon, invoke, implore. [root]30. Cf. Goodbye, Gospel, Gossip.]1. A being conceived of as possessing supernatural power, and to be propitiated by sacrifice, worship, etc.; a divinity; a deity; an object of worship; an idol. He maketh a god, and worshipeth it. --Is. xliv. 15. The race of Israel . . . bowing lowly down To bestial gods. --Milton. 2. The Supreme Being; the eternal and infinite Spirit, the Creator, and the Sovereign of the universe; Jehovah. God is a Spirit; and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. --John iv. 24. 3. A person or thing deified and honored as the chief good; an object of supreme regard. Whose god is their belly. --Phil. iii. 19. 4. Figuratively applied to one who wields great or despotic power. [R.] --Shak. Act of God. (Law) See under Act. Gallery gods, the occupants of the highest and cheapest gallery of a theater. [Colloq.] God's acre, God's field, a burial place; a churchyard. See under Acre. God's house. (a) An almshouse. [Obs.] (b) A church. God's penny, earnest penny. [Obs.] --Beau. & Fl. God's Sunday, Easter.
Gos"pel\, n. [OE. gospel, godspel, AS. godspell; god God + spell story, tale. See God, and Spell, v.]1. Glad tidings; especially, the good news concerning Christ, the Kingdom of God, and salvation. And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom. --Matt. iv. 23. The steadfast belief of the promises of the gospel. --Bentley. Note: It is probable that gospel is from. OE. godspel, God story, the narrative concerning God; but it was early confused with god spell, good story, good tidings, and was so used by the translators of the Authorized version of Scripture. This use has been retained in most cases in the Revised Version. Thus the literal sense [of gospel] is the "narrative of God," i. e., the life of Christ. --Skeat. 2. One of the four narratives of the life and death of Jesus Christ, written by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. 3. A selection from one of the gospels, for use in a religious service; as, the gospel for the day. 4. Any system of religious doctrine; sometimes, any system of political doctrine or social philosophy; as, this political gospel. --Burke. 5. Anything propounded or accepted as infallibly true; as, they took his words for gospel. [Colloq.] If any one thinks this expression hyperbolical, I shall only ask him to read [OE]dipus, instead of taking the traditional witticisms about Lee for gospel. --Saintsbury.
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