Meanings
plural euhemerizations · alternative UK euhemerisation
- derogatoryuncountableThe fanciful invention of plausible historical figures and events as an attempt to rationalize mythology and legends
The euhemerization of Taoist myth by Confucian historians sometimes led to the appearance of figures such as "Lord Primordial Chaos" (渾沌氏) in the imperial genealogies.
- countablederogatoryan instance of this
One such euhemerization is a Rowan Atkinson bit where he presents Jesus Christ as a misunderstood street magician.
- uncountableSynonym of deification: the actual creation of mythology and legends from historical figures and events; (countable) an instance of this.
Much of Chinese mythology appears to have been the result of euhemerization, the later deification of Neolithic tribal leaders and inventors incompletely remembered through oral traditions and now-lost records.
Synonyms: deification, rationalization & pseudohistory
Synonyms & antonyms
nounSynonym of deification: the actual creation of mythology and legends from historical figures and events; (countable) an instance of this.
Origin
- Ancient GreekΕὐήμερος
- LatinEuhēmerus
- Englisheuhemerization
From euhemerize + -ation, ultimately from Latin Euhēmerus, from Ancient Greek Εὐήμερος (Euḗmeros), an ancient Greek Sicilian Skeptic who proposed most or all mythology derived from historical figures and natural events which received supernatural characteristics only through retelling.
More words from Latin, Ancient Greek
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
euhemerization. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/euhemerization
“euhemerization.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/euhemerization. Accessed November 2, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “euhemerization,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/euhemerization.
Source: euhemerization on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.