Word Study
cherub
CIDE DICTIONARY
cherub, n. [Heb. kerūb.].
- A mysterious composite being, the winged footstool and chariot of the Almighty, described in
Ezekiel i. and x. [1913 Webster]"I knew that they were the cherubim." [1913 Webster]"He rode upon a cherub and did fly." [1913 Webster] - A symbolical winged figure of unknown form used in connection with the mercy seat of the Jewish Ark and Temple. Ez. xxv. 18. [1913 Webster]
- One of a order of angels, variously represented in art. In European painting the cherubim have been shown as blue, to denote knowledge, as distinguished from the seraphim (see Seraph), and in later art the children's heads with wings are generally called cherubs. [1913 Webster]
- A beautiful child; -- so called because artists have represented cherubs as beautiful children. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
cherub, n.
1 (pl. cherubim) an angelic being of the second order of the celestial hierarchy.
2 a a representation of a winged child or the head of a winged child. b a beautiful or innocent child.
1 (pl. cherubim) an angelic being of the second order of the celestial hierarchy.
2 a a representation of a winged child or the head of a winged child. b a beautiful or innocent child.
Derivative
cherubic adj. cherubically adv.
Etymology
ME f. OE cherubin and f. Heb. kerub, pl. kerub{icirc}m
THESAURUS
cherub
angel, angel of light, angel of love, archangel, babe, baby, baby-doll, bairn, beatified soul, buttercup, canonized mortal, celestial, cherubim, chick, chickabiddy, child, chit, darling, dear, deary, doll, duck, duckling, heavenly being, hon, honey, honey bunch, honey child, innocent, kid, kitten, lamb, lambkin, little bugger, little fellow, little guy, little innocent, little one, little tad, little tot, love, lover, martyr, messenger of God, mite, nipper, offspring, patron saint, peewee, pet, petkins, precious, precious heart, principality, recording angel, saint, saved soul, seraph, seraphim, shaver, snookums, soul in glory, sugar, sweet, sweetheart, sweetie, sweetkins, sweets, tad, tot, wee totROGET THESAURUS
cherub
Angel
N angel, archangel, guardian angel, heavenly host, host of heaven, sons of God, seraph, seraphim, cherub, cherubim, ministering spirit, morning star, saint, patron saint, Madonna, invisible helpers, angelic, seraphic, cherubic, saintly.For further exploring for "cherub" in Webster Dictionary Online
