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Mythologist: meaning, definitions and examples

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mythologist

 

[ ˌmɪˈθɒlədʒɪst ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

study of myths

A mythologist is a scholar or expert who studies myths, which are traditional stories often involving supernatural beings or events. They analyze the themes, symbols, and cultural significance of these narratives in various societies. Mythologists may focus on specific mythological traditions, such as Greek, Norse, or Native American myths, and often explore how these stories reflect the values and beliefs of the cultures from which they originate. Their work can provide insights into historical events, social dynamics, and human psychology.

Synonyms

myth researcher, myth scholar, mythicist.

Examples of usage

  • The mythologist presented her findings on ancient Greek mythology.
  • As a mythologist, he dedicated his life to studying folklore.
  • The documentary featured interviews with renowned mythologists.
  • Many mythologists argue that myths play a crucial role in cultural identity.

Translations

Translations of the word "mythologist" in other languages:

🇵🇹 mitólogo

🇮🇳 पौराणिकविद

🇩🇪 Mythologe

🇮🇩 mitolog

🇺🇦 міфолог

🇵🇱 mitolog

🇯🇵 神話学者

🇫🇷 mythologue

🇪🇸 mitólogo

🇹🇷 mitolog

🇰🇷 신화학자

🇸🇦 عالم الأساطير

🇨🇿 mytholog

🇸🇰 mythológ

🇨🇳 神话学家

🇸🇮 mitolog

🇮🇸 goðfræðingur

🇰🇿 мифолог

🇬🇪 მითიოლოგი

🇦🇿 mifoloq

🇲🇽 mitólogo

Etymology

The term 'mythologist' dates back to the early 19th century, derived from the word 'myth' and the Greek suffix '-logist', meaning 'one who studies'. The study of myths has ancient roots, as civilizations have always shared stories to explain natural phenomena, teach moral lessons, and preserve their culture. Some of the first mythologists were ancient philosophers, such as Plato and Aristotle, who examined myths in the context of their philosophical inquiries. As the academic discipline of mythology evolved, scholars began to focus more systematically on the analysis and interpretation of myths, leading to the formal recognition of mythologists as researchers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with notable figures like Joseph Campbell and Carl Jung contributing to the field's depth and visibility.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #40,170, 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.