Hagiography: meaning, definitions and examples

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hagiography

 

[ หŒhรฆษกiหˆษ’ษกrษ™fi ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

biography accounts

Hagiography is a biography of a saint or an ecclesiastical leader. These writings are often more concerned with the sanctity and miracles of the individual than with biographical accuracy. Hagiographies can serve both religious and literary purposes, providing inspiration to the faithful and preserving the historical memory of saints.

Synonyms

biographical account, sacred biography, saint's life

Examples of usage

  • The hagiography of St. Francis emphasizes his miraculous deeds.
  • Many hagiographies highlight the moral lessons taught by saints.
  • The church commissioned a hagiography to promote veneration.
  • Studying hagiographies helps in understanding early Christian beliefs.
  • She wrote a hagiography that became widely read in the community.

Translations

Translations of the word "hagiography" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น hagiografia

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคนเคพเค—เคฟเคฏเฅ‹เค—เฅเคฐเคพเคซเฅ€

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Hagiographie

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ hagiografi

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฐะณั–ะพะณั€ะฐั„ั–ั

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ hagiografia

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ่–ไบบไผ่จ˜ (ใ›ใ„ใ˜ใ‚“ใงใ‚“ใ)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท hagiographie

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ hagiografรญa

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท hagiografi

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์„ฑ์ธ ์ „๊ธฐ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู‡ุงุบูŠูˆุบุฑุงููŠ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ hagiografie

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ hagiografia

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅœฃๅพ’ไผ ่ฎฐ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ hagiografija

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ heilagaskรกld

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฐะณะธะพะณั€ะฐั„ะธั

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒฐแƒแƒ’แƒ˜แƒแƒ’แƒ แƒแƒคแƒ˜แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ hagiografiya

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ hagiografรญa

Etymology

The term 'hagiography' is derived from the Greek words 'hagios', meaning 'holy' or 'sacred', and 'graphia', which means 'writing' or 'scripture'. This word was first introduced into the English language in the late 19th century, primarily to describe texts written about saints and religious figures. Historically, hagiography served as an important literary form in Christian tradition, helping to establish the lives and virtues of saints while often enhancing the narratives with miraculous elements. These writings not only aimed to educate readers about the lives of the holy figures but also sought to inspire faith and devotion among the readers. In addition to Christian contexts, similar biographical forms can be found in other religious traditions, reflecting the universal human interest in the lives of exemplary individuals.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #32,133 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.