Leviathan

/lɪˈvaɪəθn̩/ · noun

Meaning

(biblical, mythology) A vast sea monster of tremendous strength, either imaginary or real, described as the most dangerous and powerful creature in the ocean..

Definitions by Sense

1. (biblical, mythology) A vast sea monster of tremendous strength, either imaginary or real, described as the most dangerous and powerful creature in the ocean.
2. A thing which is monstrously great in size, strength, etc. (especially a ship); also, a person with great power or wealth.
3. Sometimes in the form Leviathan: based on the writings of Thomas Hobbes, the political state, especially a domineering and totalitarian one.
4. Synonym of Satan (“the supreme evil spirit in the Abrahamic religions, who tempts humanity into sin; the Devil”).
5. Very large; enormous, gargantuan.

Example Sentences

So is this greate and wyde ſee [sea] alſo, wherin are thinges crepinge innumerable, both ſmall and greate beaſtes. There go the ſhippes ouer, and there is that Leuiathan, whom thou haſt made, to take his paſtyme therin.

Euen ſo do I thinke them no trewe Chryſtian men that do not reioyce with the Angels of heauen for the deliuerie of theſe owre brootherne, owre fleſſhe, and owre bones, from the handes of owre commune enemie the oulde ſerpente who hath ſo longe had them in hys poſſeſſion, vntyll the fulneſſe of the gentyles be accomplyſſhed accordynge to the time prefinite by hym, who vnto the yeare after his incarnation. M. CCCC. lxxxxii. hath ſuffered the greate ſerpente of the ſea Leuiathan, to haue ſuche dominion in the Ocean […]

The fomie vvaues out of the dreadfull deep, / The huge Leuiathan, dame Natures vvonder, / Making his ſport, that manie makes to vveep: […]

Canſt thou dravv out Leuiathan vvith an hooke? or his tongue vvith a corde vvhich thou letteſt dovvne?

[T]hat Sea beaſt / Leviathan, vvhich God of all his vvorks / Created hugeſt that ſvvim th' Ocean ſtream: […]

High mid'ſt the Clouds the boyling Ocean roars / And looks far dovvn on his decreaſing Shoars / Leviathans in plaintive Thunder cry, / In diſtant, diſmal Pants, the long-liv'd Echos dye.

The Sea-dog and the Dolphin are her food; / She makes the huge Leviathan her prey, / And all the monſters of the vvat'ry vvay; […]

The fog seemed to break away as though split by a wedge, and the bow of a steamboat emerged, trailing fog-wreaths on either side like seaweed on the snout of Leviathan.

Synonyms for leviathan

Antonyms for leviathan

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Word Forms

• leviathans
• Leviathan

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