halfgod

See also: half-god

English

Alternative forms

• half-god

Etymology

From Middle English half-god, equivalent to half- +‎ god. Cognate with Dutch halfgod (“demigod”), German Halbgott (“demigod”), Danish halvgud (“demigod”), Swedish halvgud (“demigod, hero”).

Noun

halfgod (plural halfgods)

1. A demigod.
   • 1921, George Willis Botsford, Lillie M. Shaw Botsford, A Source-book of Ancient History:

     Yes, I. Her. Who are you and what? Half. Halfgod, the demigod. Her. Not a man? Half. No I'm immortal; for the first Halfgod Was born of Ceres and Triptolemus, His only son was Celeus, Celeus married Phamarete my grandmother; [...]

   • 1977, John Wood Campbell, Analog science fiction/science fact:

     [...] the halfgod shouted. "Make way for Her Divinity!"

   • 1979, JACK WILLIAMSON, BROTHER TO DEMON BROTHER TO GODS:

     The halfgod followed, dark nose held high, as if offended by every reek around him. Four blue sacristans carried the canopied chair of honor, the divine tourist smiling out as if delighted with everything she saw. A dog barked. A child screamed.

   • 2008, Evans Lansing Smith, Nathan Robert Brown, The Complete Idiot's Guide to World Mythology:

     This union results in the birth of Herakles (called Hercules by the Romans), the legendary yet tragic halfgod hero of classical mythology.

   • 2011, Leonardo Smythe-Jones, The Seed of the Tea Party:

     What have we done to you? Jews have had to ask this question for 2000 years or better. Why do you hate us so? Actually, Jews know. They failed to find any evidence that Jesus was a HalfGod. And they lived next door to Jesus at the time!

Dutch

Etymology

Compound of half +‎ god.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈɦɑlf.xɔt/

• Audio:

  (file)

• Hyphenation: half‧god

Noun

halfgod m (plural halfgoden, diminutive halfgodje n)

1. demigod, half-god
   1. (Greek mythology) hero of semi-divine extraction

Synonyms

• (Antiquity) heros