polytheism

noun — 2 senses

polytheism

noun

/pɒl.ɪˈθiː.ɪz.əm/

Etymology From French polythéisme, from Ancient Greek πολύς (polús, “many”) and θεός (theós, “god”), corresponding to poly- + theism.

1

The belief in the existence of multiple gods.

  • And remember when Lokmân said unto his son, as he admonished him, Oh my son, give not a partner unto GOD; for polytheism is a great impiety.1734, George Sale, transl., Alcoran of Mohammed:
2

A religion or belief system with multiple gods.

  • The Chaldeans worshipped the seven planets. These seven planets were the "Seven Great Gods" of the ancients, and constituted a polytheism, the component members of which varied in importance, with the moon occupying the premier position.1941, George Ryley Scott, Phallic Worship: A History of Sex and Sex Rites in Relation to the Religions of All Races from Antiquity to the Present Day, London: T. Werner Laurie, page 14:
Related terms
polydeism, polydeist, polytheist, polytheistic, polytheistical, polytheistically, atheism, henotheism, kathenotheism, monotheism, pantheon, theism

Entry derived from the Wiktionary, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0 — list of authors.