Epeolatry

Epeolatry

Similar to idolatry and iconodulism, epeolatry literally means the worship of words. It derives from "epos," which unlike "logos" more specifically means "word" in Greek, and was apparently coined in 1860 by Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. [ Holmes, Oliver Wendell, Sr. (1860) "The Professor at the Breakfast Table"] . You may be hard-pressed to find an admitted epolatrist because the term connotes a sort of blind devotion, sanctimony, or hypocrisy; or more specifically, an advanced form of reification. Figuratively speaking, the word can be playfully applied to philologists, linguists, or lexicographers.

The term is of significant satirical value and may be used in the denigration of popular religions or belief systems. For example, one could call Christianity an epeolatric religion because the majority of its teachings hinge on the words of the Hebrew Bible. However, you are unlikely to encounter the word in any form because it remains obscure.

References


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • epeolatry — /ep i olˈə tri/ noun Worship of words ORIGIN: Gr epos word, and latreiā worship …   Useful english dictionary

  • epeolatry — noun The worship of words. Syn: logolatry See Also: idolatry …   Wiktionary

  • epeolatry — worship of words Forms of Worship …   Phrontistery dictionary

  • Idolatry — The Adoration of the Golden Calf by Nicolas Poussin. Idolatry is a pejorative term for the worship of an idol, a physical object such as a cult image, as a god,[1] or practices believed to verge on worship, such as giving undue honour and regard… …   Wikipedia

  • Etymology — Etymologies redirects here. For the encyclopedia, see Etymologiae. For the Elvish dictionary, see The Etymologies (Tolkien). Not to be confused with Entomology or Etiology. For help writing an etymology on Wikipedia, see Template:Etymology …   Wikipedia

  • Forms of Worship — This list of 60 words refers to forms of worship not specific religions or belief systems, but rather terms that denote a specific object of worship, be it saints, snakes or whatever. Related word lists you might want to check out are those for… …   Phrontistery dictionary

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