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Leviathan: meaning, definitions and examples

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leviathan

 

[ lɪˈvaɪəθən ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

mythical creature

The term 'leviathan' refers to a large sea monster mentioned in various religious texts, including the Bible. It is often depicted as a formidable and chaotic force of nature, embodying the power of the ocean. In modern usage, the term can symbolize something massive and intimidating, especially in contexts involving government or corporate entities. The leviathan has become a metaphor for overwhelming power and dominance in both literature and political discourse.

Synonyms

behemoth, giant, monster

Examples of usage

  • The leviathan of the deep sea strikes fear into sailors.
  • In Hobbes' political theory, the state is likened to a leviathan.
  • Many myths feature a leviathan as a representation of chaos.

Translations

Translations of the word "leviathan" in other languages:

🇵🇹 leviatã

🇮🇳 लैवियathan

🇩🇪 Leviathan

🇮🇩 leviathan

🇺🇦 левіафан

🇵🇱 lewiatan

🇯🇵 レビアタン

🇫🇷 léviathan

🇪🇸 leviatán

🇹🇷 leviatán

🇰🇷 레비아탄

🇸🇦 ليفياثان

🇨🇿 leviatan

🇸🇰 leviatan

🇨🇳 利维坦

🇸🇮 leviatan

🇮🇸 levíathan

🇰🇿 левиафан

🇬🇪 ლევიათანი

🇦🇿 leviatán

🇲🇽 leviatán

Etymology

The word 'leviathan' originates from the Hebrew term 'livyathan', which means 'twisted' or 'coiled'. This ancient word appears in the Bible, particularly in the Book of Job, where it describes a powerful creature. The Leviathan is often interpreted as a representation of evil or chaos, particularly in the context of creation mythology. Over time, the term has evolved and been adopted into various languages and cultures. In the 17th century, philosopher Thomas Hobbes used the term 'Leviathan' to describe his concept of a powerful sovereign, illustrating the relationship between the state and its subjects. The word has since permeated various fields of study, including literature, philosophy, and political science, to denote anything that is vast, powerful, and difficult to control.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #31,800 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.