Religion & Belief

palmer C2

/ˈpɑmɚ/ historical: a pilgrim to the Holy Land, traditionally identified by the palm branch carried on returning home M S

epic C2

/ˈep.ɪk/ constituting or having to do with or suggestive of a literary epic M S

deacon C2

/ˈdiːkən/ in several Christian churches, an ordained minister ranking below a priest M S

padre C2

/ˈpɑdɹeɪ/ a Christian priest, especially in a Spanish- or Portuguese-speaking community M S

genie C2

/ˈdʒiːni/ a jinn: a spirit being in Islamic and pre-Islamic Arabian tradition, capable of choosing good or evil and normally invisible to humans M S

hydra C2

/ˈhaɪdrə/ in Greek mythology, a many-headed serpent whose severed heads grew back M S

pagan C2

/ˈpeɪɡən/ a follower of a polytheistic, nature-centered, or pre-Christian religion, including a person in a modern Pagan tradition M S

chastity C2

/ˈt͡ʃæstɪti/ Vow made, usually because of moral or religious beliefs, to abstain from sexual relations. M S

horoscope C2

/ˈhɔɹəˌskoʊp/ an astrological forecast of a person's future, often published according to their zodiac sign M S

blasphemy C2

/ˈblæs.fə.mi/ speech or conduct that shows contempt for God, a religion, or something held sacred M S

heretic C2

/ˈhɛɹɪtɪk/ Someone whose beliefs are contrary to the fundamental tenets of a religion they claim to belong to. M S

secular C2

/ˈsɛkjələɹ/ Not connected with religion or spiritual matters. M S

chalice C2

/ˈtʃælɪs/ a stemmed ceremonial cup, especially the cup used for wine in the Christian Eucharist M S

godless C2

/ˈɡɑdləs/ not believing in or acknowledging a god or gods M S

sacrilege C2

/ˈsækɹəlɪdʒ/ the violation, misuse, or profanation of something regarded as sacred M S

sacrament C2

/ˈsæk.rə.mənt/ a Christian rite regarded as an outward sign of divine grace, such as baptism or the Eucharist M S

infidel C2

/ˈɪnfədəl/ historical and often offensive: a person regarded as not accepting the religion considered true by the speaker M S

leviathan C2

/ləˈvaɪəθ(ə)n/ a vast and powerful sea creature described in the Hebrew Bible M S

celibacy C2

/ˈsɛləbəsi/ abstaining from sexual relations, for example because of religious vows M S

adhere C2

/ædˈhɪɹ/ To stick firmly to a surface. M S

passover C2

/ˈpæsˌoʊvɚ/ the Jewish spring festival commemorating the Israelites' liberation from slavery in Egypt M S

crucifixion C2

/ˌkɹuː.səˈfɪk.ʃən/ execution by fastening a person to a cross or upright structure and leaving them to die M S

sharif C2

/ʃəˈriːf/ a descendant of the prophet Muhammad through his daughter Fatima, traditionally entitled to a rank of nobility M S

nymph C2

/nɪmf/ in classical mythology, a female spirit associated with a natural place such as a spring, forest, or mountain M S

martyrdom C2

/ˈmɑrtərdəm/ death or severe suffering endured because of loyalty to a religion, belief, or cause M S

caliph C2

/ˈkeɪlɪf/ a Muslim political and religious ruler claiming succession to the authority of the prophet Muhammad M S

circumcision C2

/ˌsɝkəmˈsɪʒən/ the surgical removal of the foreskin, often performed as a religious rite or medical procedure M S

pagoda C2

/pəˈɡoʊ.də/ a Hindu or Buddhist temple or sacred tower, especially one built in several upward-curving tiers M S

sprite C2

/spɹaɪt/ a small supernatural being such as an elf, fairy, or spirit M S

rectory C2

/ˈrɛk.tɚ.i/ a house provided for or occupied by a rector or another member of the clergy M S

fornication C2

/ˌfɔɹnɪˈkeɪʃən/ sexual intercourse between people who are not married to each other, especially when regarded as illicit in religious or legal doctrine M S

blasphemous C2

/ˈblæsfəməs/ showing gross disrespect or contempt for God, a religion, or something regarded as sacred M S

presbyterian C2

/ˌpɹɛz.bɪˈtɪɹ.i.ən/ a member of a Protestant church governed by elected elders M S

hubris C2

/ˈhjubɹɪs/ Excessive arrogance or pride, or presumption; originally (Greek mythology) toward the gods. M S

Jesuit C2

/ˈdʒɛʒuɪt/ a member of the Society of Jesus, a Roman Catholic religious order M S

diocese C2

/ˈdaɪ.ə.sɪs/ a district under the pastoral and administrative authority of a bishop M S

vicarage C2

/ˈvɪk.ɚ.ɪdʒ/ the house provided as the official residence of a Church of England vicar M S

gentile C2

/ˈdʒɛntaɪl/ a person who is not Jewish, often written with an initial capital M S

churchyard C2

/ˈt͡ʃɝt͡ʃ.jɑɹd/ land beside or around a church, often used as a burial ground M S

catechism C2

/ˈkætɪˌkɪzəm/ a summary of Christian doctrine arranged as questions and answers for instruction M S

fakir C2

/fəˈkɪr/ a Muslim religious mendicant, especially a Sufi ascetic who renounces material possessions M S

perdition C2

/pɚˈdɪʃən/ eternal spiritual punishment or damnation M S

orc C2

/ɔrk/ in fantasy literature and games, a member of a race of aggressive, often monstrous humanoid creatures M S

sacrilegious C2

/ˌsækrəˈlɪdʒəs/ showing gross disrespect for, or violating, something regarded as sacred M S

cassock C2

/ˈkæsək/ a long, close-fitting garment worn by members of the clergy in some Christian traditions M S

papacy C2

/ˈpeɪpəsi/ the office, authority, or institution of the pope and the system by which the Roman Catholic Church is governed M S

pontiff C2

/ˈpɑːntɪf/ the pope, especially when referred to formally M S

tabernacle C2

/ˈtæbɚnækl̩/ the portable sanctuary used by the Israelites according to the Hebrew Bible M S

faun C2

/fɔn/ in Roman mythology and later art, a rustic nature spirit represented as partly human and partly goat M S

fallacy C2

/ˈfɛl.ə.si/ A mistaken belief based on faulty reasoning. M S

dervish C2

/ˈdɝvɪʃ/ a member of a Sufi Muslim religious order, traditionally committed to poverty and devotional discipline M S

necromancer C2

/ˈnɛkrəˌmænsɚ/ a person believed to communicate with the dead for divination or to summon or control the dead by magic M S

sanctify C2

/ˈsæŋktəfaɪ/ to make holy or formally set apart for sacred use M S

archdeacon C2

/ˌɑːɹtʃˈdiːkən/ a senior Christian cleric who assists a bishop in administering part or all of a diocese, especially in the Anglican Church M S

vestal C2

/ˈvɛstəl/ a Vestal Virgin, one of the priestesses who tended the sacred fire of Vesta in ancient Rome M S

vespers C2

/ˈvɛspɚz/ an evening service of prayer in several Christian traditions; one of the canonical hours M S

elysium C2

/ɪˈlɪʒiəm/ in Greek mythology, the paradise where favored heroes and the blessed dead enjoy an ideal afterlife M S

anathema C2

/əˈnæθəmə/ something or someone intensely disliked, rejected, or regarded as wholly unacceptable M S

sacrosanct C2

/ˈsæk.ɹoʊˌsæŋkt/ Beyond alteration, criticism, or interference, especially due to religious sanction; inviolable. M S

theologian C2

/ˌθi.əˈloʊdʒən/ a scholar or specialist who studies theology and religious doctrine M S

sibyl C2

/ˈsɪbəl/ in the ancient world, a woman believed to deliver divine prophecies or oracles M S

evangelist C2

/ɪˈvændʒəlɪst/ a Christian preacher who seeks to convert others or revive religious faith M S

vestry C2

/ˈvɛstɹi/ a room in or attached to a church where clergy put on vestments, sacred objects are kept, or meetings are held M S

parsonage C2

/ˈpɑːrsənɪdʒ/ a house provided by a church as the residence of its minister or parson M S

incubus C2

/ˈɪŋkjəbəs/ in folklore, a male demon believed to lie upon and sexually assault sleeping women M S

mercurial C2

/mɝˈkjʊ.ɹi.əl/ relating to or containing or caused by mercury M S

consecration C2

/ˌkɒnsɪˈkɹeɪʃən/ (religion) sanctification of something by setting it apart (usually with religious rites) as dedicated to God M S

excommunicate C2

/ˌɛkskəˈmjunəkeɪt/ to officially exclude someone from participation or membership in a church or religious community M S

apostate C2

/əˈpɔs.teɪt/ Guilty of apostasy. M S

unction C2

/ˈʌŋkʃən/ the ceremonial act of anointing someone with oil, especially as a religious rite M S

episcopal C2

/ɪˈpɪskəpəl/ of or relating to bishops or to government of a church by bishops M S

minaret C2

/ˌmɪnəˈret/ a tall, slender tower attached to or standing near a mosque, traditionally used for the call to prayer M S

presbytery C2

/ˈprɛzbɪtɛri/ in Presbyterian churches, a governing council of ministers and elected elders from congregations in a district M S

homily C2

/ˈhɑməli/ a sermon explaining a religious or moral subject, especially one based on a passage of scripture M S

prelate C2

/ˈprel.ət/ a Christian cleric of high rank or authority, such as a bishop, archbishop, or abbot M S

liturgy C2

/ˈlɪtɚd͡ʒi/ a rite or body of rites prescribed for public worship M S

enchanter C2

/ɪnˈtʃæntɚ/ a magician or sorcerer who casts spells M S

witchery C2

/ˈwɪtʃəri/ witchcraft or the supposed practice of magic M S

pentecostal C2

/ˌpen.tɪˈkɒs.təl/ of or relating to or occurring at Pentecost M S

sacristan C2

/ˈsækɹɪstən/ The person who maintains the sacristy and the sacred objects it contains. M S

primacy C2

/ˈpɹaɪ.mə.si/ The state or condition of being prime or first, as in time, place, rank, etc. M S

votive C2

/ˈvoʊ.tɪv/ offered, dedicated, or performed in fulfillment of a vow or as an expression of devotion M S

ordain C2

/ɔɹˈdeɪn/ To officially make someone a priest, minister, or other religious leader M S

necromancy C2

/ˈnɛkrəˌmænsi/ the supposed practice of communicating with the dead, especially to obtain hidden knowledge or predict the future M S

sepulcher C2

/ˈsepəlkɚ/ literary or historical: a tomb, grave, or chamber in which a dead person is buried M S

neophyte C2

/ˈniː.əˌfaɪt/ A beginner; someone who is new to an activity, subject, or belief. M S

churchwarden C2

/ˈtʃɝːtʃˌwɔrdən/ a lay officer responsible for the property, administration, and secular affairs of an Anglican parish M S

seraph C2

/ˈsɛɹəf/ an angel of the seraphim, traditionally represented with six wings and ranked in the highest order of Christian angelology M S

godhead C2

/ˈɡɑdˌhɛd/ divine nature, rank, or essence; the state of being a god M S

ablution C2

/əˈbluː.ʃən/ the act of washing oneself, especially as part of a regular routine; often plural M S

transmigration C2

/ˌtɹænzmaɪˈɡɹeɪʃən/ the passage of a soul after death into another body or form of life M S

omniscience C2

/ɑmˈnɪʃəns/ the state or capacity of knowing everything, especially as an attribute of a deity M S

mythos C2

/ˈmɪθoʊs/ the body of myths, stories, and symbols associated with a culture, religion, tradition, or fictional world M S

asceticism C2

/əˈsɛt.əˌsɪz.əm/ the practice of severe self-discipline and abstention from physical comforts or pleasures M S

naiad C2

/ˈneɪ.æd/ in Greek mythology, a female nymph believed to inhabit and protect a spring, river, lake, or fountain M S

chasuble C2

/ˈtʃæz.jə.bəl/ the sleeveless outer liturgical vestment worn by a priest when celebrating the Eucharist or Mass M S