leviathan
pronunciation
How to pronounce leviathan in British English:
UK [ləˈvaɪəθən]
How to pronounce leviathan in American English:
US [ləˈvaɪəθən]
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- Noun:
- the largest or most massive thing of its kind
- monstrous sea creature symbolizing evil in the Old Testament
Word Origin
- leviathan (n.)
- late 14c., "sea monster, sea serpent," also regarded as a form of Satan, from Late Latin leviathan, from Hebrew livyathan "dragon, serpent, huge sea animal," of unknown origin, perhaps related to liwyah "wreath," from root l-w-h- "to wind, turn, twist." Of powerful persons or things from c. 1600. Hobbes's use is from 1651.
Example
- 1. True or not , one thing is certain : much of the food we all eat has been bought and sold by this us leviathan .
- 2. But further development of leviathan depends on politics .
- 3. It would have been understandable , if not forgivable , had david cameron ducked a showdown with leviathan .
- 4. Dr malcolm 's edition of " leviathan " may help readers to decide if that is a fair description of what the monster had in mind .
- 5. In principle , a federal mandate on health policy does not seem an absurd extension of leviathan : done simply , it might even mean less government .