Leviathan

Quick meaning: Leviathan is a noun meaning A thing which is monstrously great in size, strength, etc. (especially a ship); also, a person with great power or wealth.

Meaning

A thing which is monstrously great in size, strength, etc. (especially a ship); also, a person with great power or wealth.

More Meanings

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

Example Sentences

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: […]

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

Word Forms

• leviathans

Synonyms for leviathan

Depending on context, synonyms include behemoth, colossus, mammoth, titan, Satan, giant.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include mermonster, devilfish, merbeast, mercreature, seamonster, seawolf.

Related Dictionary Tools