Sabaism
/ˈseɪ.bi.ɪzəm/noun
A religious system characterized by the worship or veneration of stars and celestial bodies.
Did you know?The term was historically associated with the Sabians, a religious community mentioned in the Qur’an, although later European writers often confused them with ancient star-worshippers and with the Sabaeans of South Arabia.
Etymological Timeline
Late Antiquity
Arabic
ṣābiʾūn
“The Sabians, a religious community named in Islamic and Middle Eastern sources”
Late Antiquity
Syriac/Aramaic
ṣabāyā
“A form associated with the name of the Sabians; its deeper derivation is debated”
Medieval Latin
Latin
Sabaei / Sabiani
“Names used for Sabians or related eastern religious groups”
16th–17th Century
French
sabaïsme
“Sabianism or worship of the stars”
18th Century
English
sabaism
“A system of star worship or celestial veneration”
Modern English
English
Sabaism
“A religion or belief system centered on the worship of stars”