Angelically Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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angelically

[ˈeɪn.dʒə.lɪ.kli ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adverb

manner of behavior

The adverb 'angelically' describes actions or behaviors that are perceived as supremely good, virtuous, or innocent, reminiscent of an angel's qualities. It often implies a sense of purity or a heavenly nature, used to highlight the almost divine goodness of a person or action.

Synonyms

divinely, heavenly, innocently, purely, virtually.

Examples of usage

  • She smiled angelically at the children.
  • He behaved angelically during the difficult times.
  • The choir sang angelically, filling the church with harmony.
  • The child's innocence shone through in her angelically sweet demeanor.

Translations

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Interesting Facts

Religious Significance

  • In Christianity, angels are seen as messengers of God, often depicted as embodiments of divine goodness.
  • Different religions depict angels in varying ways, but they are commonly recognized as protectors and guides, embodying pure qualities.
  • The concept of angels often embodies the idea of transcending human flaws, representing an ideal of moral excellence.

Cultural References

  • Angelically has been used in literature and music to describe characters or beings that embody pure goodness or beauty.
  • Films like 'It's a Wonderful Life' feature angelic beings helping humans, reinforcing the notion of heavenly kindness and assistance.
  • The term often appears in fairy tales and folklore, where characters act angelically to assist others or restore order.

Psychology

  • People often describe those who act angelically as having high levels of kindness which can enhance social bonding and trust.
  • Psychological studies show that witnessing angelic behavior can inspire similar actions in others, promoting altruism.
  • The perception of angelic traits is linked to positive outcomes in interpersonal relationships, making individuals more likable.

Literature

  • Notable literary figures often describe characters as angelically beautiful to convey purity and innocence.
  • In poetry, angelically is used to evoke imagery of ethereal beauty, often alongside nature and love themes.
  • Prominent authors like John Milton in 'Paradise Lost' describe beings with angelic traits to symbolize the fight against evil.

Origin of 'angelically'

Main points about word origin

  • The word originates from the Latin word 'angelicus,' which means 'of or belonging to an angel.'
  • In Middle English, it changed to 'angelical', which then evolved into 'angelically' by adding the '-ly' suffix to describe actions.
  • The root 'angel' comes from the Greek word 'angelos', meaning 'messenger', which emphasizes the benevolent nature of the term.

The word 'angelically' is derived from the word 'angel,' which comes from the Latin 'angelus' and the Greek 'angelos,' both meaning 'messenger.' The notion of an angel in various cultural and religious contexts typically embodies a figure of purity, goodness, and the divine. The adverb 'angelically' thus became a means of expressing behaviors that embody the innocent and virtuous qualities associated with angels. Its usage can be traced back several centuries, with the word 'angel' itself appearing in Old English as 'engel'. The construction of the adverb form '-ically' reflects a common English morphological process, transforming adjectives into adverbs. As society has evolved, so has the conceptualization of angels, and 'angelically' continues to convey that sense of ethereal goodness in language.


Word Frequency Rank

At position #40,584, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.