polytheism

[pol-ee-thee-iz-uh m, pol-ee-thee-iz-uh m] /ˈpɒl i θiˌɪz əm, ˌpɒl iˈθi ɪz əm/
noun
1.
the doctrine of or belief in more than one god or in many gods.
Origin
1605-15; poly- + theism; compare French polythéisme
Related forms
polytheist, noun
polytheistic, polytheistical, adjective
British Dictionary definitions for polytheism

polytheism

/ˈpɒlɪθiːˌɪzəm; ˌpɒlɪˈθiːɪzəm/
noun
1.
the worship of or belief in more than one god
Derived Forms
polytheist, noun
polytheistic, adjective
polytheistically, adverb
Word Origin and History for polytheism
n.

1610s, from French polythéisme (16c.), formed from Greek polytheia "polytheism," polytheos "of many gods," from polys "many" (see poly-) + theos "god" (see Thea).

polytheism in Culture

polytheism definition


The belief in more than one god. The ancient Greeks, for example, were polytheists; their gods included Apollo, Athena, Dionysus, and Zeus. (Compare monotheism.)