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moloch. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
moloch, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
moloch in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
moloch you have here. The definition of the word
moloch will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
moloch, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
From Hebrew מולך (molokh, “Ammonite god, worshipped by Canaanites and Phoenicians, who demanded child-sacrifice. Mentioned in Leviticus and Deuteronomy”).
Pronunciation
Noun
moloch (plural molochs)
- Any of species Moloch horridus of Australian lizards, sole species of the genus Moloch.
Synonyms
References
Dutch
Etymology
From Hebrew מולך (mólech, “idol mentioned in the Bible demanding child sacrifice”); the figurative use here is derived from this usage (see Moloch, the name of the god proper). The sense 'lizard' derives from its scientific name Moloch horridus, which in turn is derived from the Hebrew.
Pronunciation
Noun
moloch m (plural molochs, diminutive molochje n)
- (figurative) anything large, untransparent and cumbersome, particularly a bureaucratic body
- moloch (lizard)
- Synonyms: bergduivel, woestijnduivel
French
Pronunciation
Noun
moloch m (plural molochs)
- moloch
Further reading