theoxenia

T1H4E1O1X8E1N1I1A1

noun

Hospitality towards a god who visits as a guest.

OriginAncient Greek θεοξενία →
Scrabble 19
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Meanings

nountheoxenia (uncountable)
  1. uncountableHospitality towards a god who visits as a guest.

    An alternative interpretation to the theoxenia, though no doubt related in cult practise, would be that of parasitein.

    1989, Harvey Alan Shapiro, Art and cult under the Tyrants in Athens: Volume 1
    1 more example

    1902, Archaeological Institute of America, American School of Classical Studies at Athens, American School of Classical Studies in Rome, American journal of archaeology S. Reixach maintains that the rite of theoxenia is derived from the primitive conception of the gods as relatives of those who entertain them...

Origin

  1. Ancient Greekθεοξενία
  2. Englishtheoxenia

From Ancient Greek θεοξενία (theoxenía), equivalent to theo- + xenia.

More words from Ancient Greek

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

French théoxénie
  • théoxénieTranslations
Cite this entry
APA

theoxenia. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/theoxenia

MLA

“theoxenia.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/theoxenia. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “theoxenia,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/theoxenia.

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