Deifies

/ˈdeɪ.ɪ.faɪz/ verb

Definition

Makes a god of someone or something, or treats them with extreme reverence and worship.

Etymology

From Latin 'deificāre' (to make divine), combining 'deus' (god) and 'facere' (to make). The English form developed through Old French 'deifier' in the 13th century, maintaining the religious meaning of elevating something to divine status.

Kelly Says

Deify appears frequently in criticism of celebrity culture—we deify actors and athletes in ways ancient peoples reserved only for actual gods, which shows how the human need to worship hasn't changed, just its targets.

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