Euhemerize

Quick meaning: Euhemerize is a verb meaning (ambitransitive) To create mythology and legends from ancient historical figures and events.

Meaning

(ambitransitive) To create mythology and legends from ancient historical figures and events.

More Meanings

1. (ambitransitive, derogatory) To invent a plausible but fanciful historical origin for something in order to rationalize mythology and legends.

Example Sentences

Near-synonym: deify (synonymous when personages are the direct objects)

The legend of Semiramis was a euhemerised version of the story of Istar.

The Yellow Emperor was perhaps euhemerized from a prehistoric tribal leader.

Confucian scholars frequently euhemerized the myths used to explain religious rituals to the public.

Word Forms

• euhemerizes
• euhemerizing
• euhemerized
• euhemerise

Synonyms for euhemerize

Depending on context, synonyms include rationalize, demythologize, mythologize.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include mythicize, mythicise, mythologize, mythify, mythologise, folk-etymologize.

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