polytheism

pol·y·the·ism

[pol-ee-thee-iz-uhm, pol-ee-thee-iz-uhm]
noun
the doctrine of or belief in more than one god or in many gods.

Origin:
1605–15; poly- + theism; compare French polythéisme

pol·y·the·ist, noun
pol·y·the·is·tic, pol·y·the·is·ti·cal, adjective
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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World English Dictionary
polytheism (ˈpɒlɪθiːˌɪzəm, ˌpɒlɪˈθiːɪzəm) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
n
the worship of or belief in more than one god
 
'polytheist
 
n
 
polythe'istic
 
adj
 
polythe'istically
 
adv

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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00:10
Polytheism is always a great word to know.
So is lollapalooza. Does it mean:
a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison.
an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance.
Etymonline
Word Origin & History

polytheism
1613, from Fr. polythéisme (16c.), formed from Gk. polytheos "of many gods," from polys "many" (see poly-) + theos "god" (see Thea). Polytheist first attested 1619.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Cultural Dictionary

polytheism definition


The belief in more than one god. The ancient Greeks, for example, were polytheists; their gods included Apollo, Athena, Dionysus, and Zeus. (Compare monotheism.)

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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