Worship Meaning
/ˈwɜː.ʃɪp/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounThe devotion accorded to a deity or to a sacred object.
nounThe adoration (or latria) owed to God alone, as greater than the hyperdulia) that is given to Saint Mary only and the veneration (or dulia) accorded to all other Roman Catholic saints.
Sentence Examples
The Hindus worship in temples.
The Greeks used to worship several gods.
The Mayans built jungle pyramids to worship their gods.
CEFR Practice Quiz
Every Sunday, the community gathers at the temple to ____ their god.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Many different people gather at the local temple to ____ and offer prayers during the weekly religious ceremonies today.
Word Origin & History
Inherited from Middle English worschippe /worthschipe, inherited from Old English weorþsċiepe. Cognate with Scots worschip (“worship”). By surface analysis, wor(th) + -ship.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The worſhip of God is an eminent part of Religion; and Prayer, which is often in Scripture expreſſed by ſeeking God, and calling upon his Name, is a chief part of Religious Worſhip."
— 1664, John Tillotson, “Sermon I. The Wisdom of Being Religious. Job XXVIII. 28.”, in The Works of the Most Reverend Dr. John Tillotson, Late Lord Archbishop of Canterbury: […], 8th edition, London: […] T. Goodwin, B[enjamin] Tooke, and J. Pemberton, […]; J. Round […], and J[acob] Tonson] […], published 1720, →OCLC, page 2:
"In attitude and aspect formed to be / At once the artist's worship and despair!"
— a. 1883 (date written; first published 1883 January), Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, “Monologue”, in Michael Angelo: A Dramatic Poem, Boston, Mass.; New York, N.Y.: Houghton, Mifflin and Company […], published 1884, →OCLC, part first, page 21:
"“I beg your worship’s pardon,” said Mr. Bumble, incredulous of his having heard aright,—“did your worship speak to me?”"
— 1837 March, Boz [pseudonym; Charles Dickens], “Relates How Oliver Twist Was Very Near Getting a Place, Which Would Not Have Been a Sinecure”, in Oliver Twist; […], volume I, London: Richard Bentley, […], published 1838, →OCLC, page 48:
"'Your Worships, I have a submission to put before the court. As Your Worships are aware, it is the duty of the court under Section thirty-nine of the Children and Young Persons Act to protect the identity of minors who are victims of offences […]"
— 1999, Val McDermid, A Place of Execution, London: HarperCollins, →ISBN, →OCLC, page 209:
"And many ſtrange aduentures to bee fond, / Of which great worth and worſhip may be wonne; […]"
— 1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book III, Canto II”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC, stanza 8, page 412:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
Every Sunday, the community gathers at the temple to ____ their god.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Many different people gather at the local temple to ____ and offer prayers during the weekly religious ceremonies today.