euhemerize
verbUS /juˈhiməˌɹaɪz/ · UK /juːˈhiːməˌɹaɪz/
Etymology From euhemerism + -ize, ultimately from Latin Euhēmerus, from Ancient Greek Εὐήμερος (Euḗmeros), an ancient Greek Sicilian Skeptic who proposed most or all mythology derived from historical figures and natural events which received supernatural characteristics only through retelling.
1
Ambitransitive, Derogatory To invent a plausible but fanciful historical origin for something in order to rationalize mythology and legends.
- Near-synonyms: demythologize (sometimes synonymous), undeify (synonymous when personages are the direct objects)
- Confucian scholars frequently euhemerized the myths used to explain religious rituals to the public.
2 more examples
- He did but extend to the New Testament the Euhemerising principles which Eichhorn had applied to the Old.1871, Frederic William Farrar, The Witness of History to Christ, page 57:
- The legend of Semiramis was a euhemerised version of the story of Istar.1887 September 3, I. Taylor, The Academy, page 143:
2
Ambitransitive To create mythology and legends from ancient historical figures and events.
- Near-synonym: deify (synonymous when personages are the direct objects)
- The Yellow Emperor was perhaps euhemerized from a prehistoric tribal leader.
- Synonyms
- rationalize
- Derived terms
- euhemerization
- Related terms
- euhemerism, euhemerist