behemoth
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Contents
English[edit]
Etymology[edit]
From Middle English behemoth, bemoth, from Late Latin, from Hebrew בהמות (bəhēmōth). The Hebrew word is either:
- an intensive plural of בהמה (bəhēmāh, “beast”), from Proto-Semitic (compare Ethiopic [script needed] (bəhma, “dumb, speechless”), Arabic [script needed] (ʼabham, “animal”) (declined as bahma(t), bahīma(t))), or
- a borrowing of Egyptian [script needed] (p-ehe-mau, “hippopotamus”, literally “water-ox”).
Pronunciation[edit]
Noun[edit]
behemoth (plural behemoths)
- (biblical) A great and mighty beast God shows Job in Job 40:15-24.
- A great and mighty monster.
- Something which has the qualities of great power and might, and monstrous proportions.
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2011 January 18, Lovejoy, Joe, “Cardiff City 0 Stoke City 2”, Guardian Online:
- The diehards who did turn out were at least rewarded with a first sight of Jon Parkin, the behemoth striker signed from Preston, who scored a stunning goal on his debut at Norwich last weekend.
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Synonyms[edit]
Quotations[edit]
- 1611, Bible (Authorized, or King James, Version), Job 40:15–18
- Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox.
Lo now, his strength is in his loins, and his force is in the navel of his belly.
He moveth his tail like a cedar: the sinews of his stones are wrapped together.
His bones are as strong pieces of brass; his bones are like bars of iron.
- Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox.
- 2001 — Eoin Colfer, Artemis Fowl, p 58
- Next she doused the smouldering troll with the contents of the restaurant's fire extinguisher, hoping the icy powder wouldn't revive the sleeping behemoth.
Translations[edit]
mighty beast in the Book of Job
mighty monster
something of great size and power
