evangel

English

Etymology

From Middle English evaungel, evangile, from Old French evangile, from Late Latin evangelium, from Ancient Greek εὐαγγέλιον (euangélion, “good news”), from εὐάγγελος (euángelos, “bringing good news”), from εὖ (eû, “well”) + ἀγγέλλειν (angéllein, “to announce”) (English angel). The word gospel is from the same Ancient Greek origin, also meaning “good news”, but translated into Latin, then Old English.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɪˈvænd͡ʒəl/

Noun

evangel (plural evangels)

1. The Christian gospel.
   • a. 1632 (date written), John Donne, “To Sr. G. M.”, in John Donne [the Younger], editor, Letters to Severall Persons of Honour: […], London: […] J. Fletcher for Richard Marriot, […], published 1651, →OCLC, page 106:

     The Evangiles and Acts, teach us vvhat to beleeve, but the Epiſtles of the Apoſtles vvhat to do.

   • 1843 April, Thomas Carlyle, “Plugson of Undershot”, in Past and Present, American edition, Boston, Mass.: Charles C[offin] Little and James Brown, published 1843, →OCLC, book III (The Modern Worker):

     If, at any time, a philosophy of Laissez-faire, Competition and Supply-and-demand, start up as the exponent of human relations, expect that it will soon end. […] Such philosophies will arise; be preached as Mammon-Gospels, the ultimate Evangel of the World […]

2. A salutary principle relating to morals, politics, etc.
3. An evangelist.

Related terms

• angel
• evangelism
• evangelist
• evangelization
• evangelize

Translations

Christian gospel

• Bulgarian: евангелие (bg) n (evangelie)
• German: Evangelium (de) n
• Ottoman Turkish: انجیل (incil)

evangelist

• Bulgarian: евангелист m (evangelist)

Further reading

• “evangel”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.
• “evangel”, in The Century Dictionary […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911, →OCLC.
• “evangel”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.