apotheosize

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to elevate a person to divine status; to deify

   Later legend would apotheosize the dead ruler as a protective god.

2. 2
   verb

   to glorify, idealize, or praise someone or something as supremely excellent

   The biography tends to apotheosize its subject and overlook every failing.

Formed in the eighteenth century from apotheosis + -ize. Apotheosis came through Late Latin from Greek apotheosis, 'making into a god,' built from apo- and theos, 'god.' The literal religious sense broadened to extravagant glorification or idealization.

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