Moloch
UK /ˈməʊlɒk/ · US /ˈmoʊlɑk/ proper noun, noun
Forms molochs
- proper noun An ancient Ammonite deity worshiped by the Canaanites, Phoenician and related cultures in North Africa and the Levant, often depicted with the head of a bull.
- proper noun (figuratively) A person or thing demanding or requiring a very costly sacrifice.
- noun Any of species Moloch horridus of Australian lizards, sole species of the genus Moloch.
Synonyms
thorny dragon thorny devil mountain devil thorny lizard Molech
Etymology
From the Proto-Semitic *malk- (“king”). The figurative sense derives from the Old Testament, in which it is alleged that the cult of Moloch involved the sacrifice of human children.
From Hebrew מולך (molokh, “Ammonite god, worshipped by Canaanites and Phoenicians, who demanded child-sacrifice. Mentioned in Leviticus and Deuteronomy”).
Webster’s 1913
- noun The fire god of the Ammonites in Canaan, to whom human sacrifices were offered; Molech. Also applied figuratively.
- noun A spiny Australian lizard (Moloch horridus). The horns on the head and numerous spines on the body give it a most formidable appearance.
Etymology [Heb. molek king.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “Moloch”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details