God \God\ (g[o^]d), n. [AS. god; akin to OS. & D. god, OHG. got,
G. gott, Icel. gu[eth], go[eth], Sw. & Dan. gud, Goth. gup,
prob. orig. a p. p. from a root appearing in Skr. h[=u], p.
p. h[=u]ta, to call upon, invoke, implore. [root]30. Cf.
Goodbye, Gospel, Gossip.]
1. A being conceived of as possessing supernatural power, and
to be propitiated by sacrifice, worship, etc.; a divinity;
a deity; an object of worship; an idol.
He maketh a god, and worshipeth it. --Is. xliv.
15.
The race of Israel . . . bowing lowly down To
bestial gods. --Milton.
2. The Supreme Being; the eternal and infinite Spirit, the
Creator, and the Sovereign of the universe; Jehovah.
God is a Spirit; and they that worship him must
worship him in spirit and in truth. --John iv. 24.
3. A person or thing deified and honored as the chief good;
an object of supreme regard.
Whose god is their belly. --Phil. iii.
19.
4. Figuratively applied to one who wields great or despotic
power. [R.]
--Shak.
Act of God. (Law) See under Act.
Gallery gods, the occupants of the highest and cheapest
gallery of a theater. [Colloq.]
God's acre, God's field, a burial place; a churchyard.
See under Acre.
God's house. (a) An almshouse. [Obs.]
(b) A church.
God's penny, earnest penny. [Obs.]
--Beau. & Fl.
God's Sunday, Easter.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) |