golem

plural golems

1. human sciencesA humanoid creature made from clay, animated by magic. The most famous was made by Rabbi Loew in the 16th century to defend the Jews of Prague from a pogrom.
2. broadlyfantasyA humanoid creature made from any previously inanimate matter, such as wood or stone, animated by magic.

   She is elected mayor through the help of a golem she creates out of the soil of the potted plants she keeps in her apartment.

   2016 December 25, Anne Roiphe, “Cynthia Ozick’s Golem Story Is a Fairy Tale of Sexual Obsession and Dentistry”, in The Forward, archived from the original on 15 Jun 2022

   1 more example

   “There was also stuff that we actually had to take out which would have ruined the plot of the movie,” he said of his favorite details. “Getting the angry old man in there was very important, and the woodland mansion. But also things like the iron golems turned out so well.”

   2025 April 4, Jasmine Valentine, “A Minecraft Movie has one stunning Easter egg you can’t afford to miss”, in Dexerto, archived from the original on 28 Apr 2025