seraph

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

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

   The painted seraph spread six crimson wings above the altar.

2. 2
   noun

   literary: a person of exceptional beauty, purity, or goodness

   The grieving poet remembered the child as a radiant seraph.

Back-formed as a singular from seraphim, through Latin from Biblical Hebrew seraphim, the plural of saraph. The Hebrew term is associated with burning and can denote a fiery serpent; later Christian angelology developed the familiar image of a six-winged angel. The English singular may have been popularized by Milton.

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