Hagiolatry
/ˌhæɡiˈɒlətri/noun
The worship or excessive veneration of saints.
Did you know?The suffix “-latry” comes from Greek latreia, meaning ritual service or worship, and appears in words describing devotion to idols, books, animals, and even fire.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἅγιος (hagios)
“Holy, sacred, or set apart”
Ancient Greek
Greek
λατρεία (latreia)
“Ritual service, worship, or religious devotion”
Late Greek / Ecclesiastical Latin
Greek/Latin
hagiolatρία / hagiolatria
“Veneration or worship directed toward holy persons”
17th Century
French
hagiolâtrie
“Worship or excessive veneration of saints”
17th Century
English
hagiolatry
“The worship or undue veneration of saints”
Modern English
English
hagiolatry
“The worship or excessive veneration of saints”
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