kathenotheism

K5A1T1H4E1N1O1T1H4E1I1S1M3

noun

Belief that multiple deities exist, and different deities are supreme among them at different times.

OriginAncient Greek καθ’ ἕνα →
Scrabble 25
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Meanings

nounkathenotheism (uncountable)
  1. uncountableBelief that multiple deities exist, and different deities are supreme among them at different times.

Origin

  1. Ancient Greekκαθ’ ἕνα“one by one”
  2. Englishkathenotheism

Coined 19th century by Max Müller from the phrase Ancient Greek καθ’ ἕνα (kath’ héna, “one by one”) and the word θεός (theós, “god”), following theism, extending the prior coinage henotheism by Friedrich Wilhelm Joseph von Schelling which he had himself popularised.

More words from Ancient Greek

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Japanese 交替神教
  • 交替神教kathenotheism
Polish katenoteizm
  • katenoteizmkathenotheism
Cite this entry
APA

kathenotheism. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/kathenotheism

MLA

“kathenotheism.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/kathenotheism. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “kathenotheism,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/kathenotheism.

Source: kathenotheism on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.