Euhemerize
//juˈhiməˌɹaɪz// verb
verb ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Definitions
Verb
- 1 To invent a plausible but fanciful historical origin for something in order to rationalize mythology and legends. ambitransitive, derogatory
"Confucian scholars frequently euhemerized the myths used to explain religious rituals to the public."
- 2 Synonym of deify: to actually create mythology and legends from ancient historical figures and events. ambitransitive
"The Yellow Emperor was perhaps euhemerized from a prehistoric tribal leader."
Example
More examples"Confucian scholars frequently euhemerized the myths used to explain religious rituals to the public."
Etymology
From euhemerism + -ize, ultimately from Latin Euhēmerus, from Ancient Greek Εὐήμερος (Euḗmeros), an ancient Greek Sicilian Skeptic who proposed most or all mythology derived from historical figures and natural events which received supernatural characteristics only through retelling.
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Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.