Monday, June 20, 2011

apotheosis



apotheosis [əˌpɒθiˈoʊsɪs] n.

1.) The action of ranking, or fact of being ranked, among the gods; transformation into a god, deification; divine status.
2.) By extension: The ascription of extraordinary, and as it were divine, power or virtue; glorification, exaltation; the canonization of saints.
3.) The deification, glorification, or exaltation of a principle, practice, etc.; a deified ideal.
4.) In loose usage: Ascension to glory, departure or release from earthly life; resurrection (O.E.D. 2nd Ed.).

Etymology: Late Latin apotheosis, from Greek ἀποθέωσις, to deify: ἀπό-, change; + θεός, god.

"A regular custom was introduced, that on the decease of every emperor who had neither lived nor died like a tyrant, the senate by a solemn decree should place him in the number of the gods: and the ceremonies of his apotheosis were blended with those of his funeral" (The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Vol. I, Edward Gibbon, 1776).

(The Apotheosis of Homer, Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, 1827)

28 comments:

shari said...

Ahhh... I'd read that word and misinterpreted the definition, as I only gleaned its meaning from context. (I tend to do that because I'm kind of lazy.)

In answer to your question, my previous post done earlier today had an example of what I was trying to do... bokeh is the effect of blurring, when the aperture is at it's largest, making the pinpoints of light in the background into geometric shapes. Usually circles of light, sometimes hexagons, or if you use a special lens hood, you get other shapes. The same as the background image of my blog, actually!

Chain said...

The stories of homer is great. but I cant help my self from thinking of Simpsons xD

Astronomy Pirate said...

I would be nice to receive godhood.

DEZMOND said...

I hope my own apotheosis is coming soon, I need to punish some of the naughty Titans and a few mythical monsters...

Burndro said...

One day I will have an apotheosis.

Unknown said...

Ah, flashbacks of greek myths are coming back to me

Anonymous said...

Ingres was a great painter. I was never into the neo-classicism thing though. I'm glad the impressionists did what they did, they paved the way for a lot more diverse definitions and understandings of art.

Salted Plum said...

I learnt a new word, thank you m(_ _)m.

Zombie said...

Sounds so fancy when I hear the computer read it to me!

Thiago said...

I knew that one.
...
Oh wait, isn't the name of a greek construction technique?
:(

Thiago said...

Because we have the "Apotheosis Square" in Rio de Janeiro, with a strange monument.

Bart said...

a pot thesis. lol wat and yes all those pics are on my hard drive.

Lydia Kang said...

Good to know, but not one I'll use in everyday life!

Debra She Who Seeks said...

I always thought that this meant apex or pinnacle. Thanks for the edumacation!

lovebloggin said...

thats great stuff! thanks for the update

Unknown said...

I have a friend who is convinced they are a god. We have some interesting conversations.

Jay said...

my apotheosis has begun!

themajessty said...

I love this word. First came across it in a Dan Brown book. ALWAYS trying to find a way to use it, but never actually managing to form a sentence that isn't snooty or completely retarded.

Of course, I can always say that getting a boob job is a part of my apotheosis process. I hope I'm using it right.

Also, about your comment on my blog...Thank YOU for reminding me that the word hoi polloi existed. :D I wouldn't have used it if I hadn't read your post a couple of days ago.

VersionDouble said...

super interesting, i love to learn new words. defo following this blog!

JayPower said...

Awesome word, will add this to my vocabulary ;D

Intraman said...

I never actually thought about the "theological" meaning of this word and used it as a synonym for apex, even though the etymology is quite clear

bluesphinx said...

i like the art

T. Banacek said...

It sounds very Greek.

Kristin H said...

A great Greek world in the middle of the Country's troubles.

Mr. Cactus said...

This is totally going to be my word of the day.

Once Upon A Time... said...

wasn't sure about the 1st line of the 2nd paragraph either, it's more of maltese words translated into english...and the result sucks but i published it anyway.

PS: my writings aren't poems, hence no stanzas.

love this word, even though i don't know to pronounce it!

jos xx

RedHeadRob said...

That's a pretty sweet word :D

Anonymous said...

I highly doubt this word would naturally make its way into any conversation I have, but it's a cool word! Maybe I can just say it as a standalone word and sound smart?

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