The spelling of the word "idolater" follows the phonetic rules of the English language. It is spelled as "aɪˈdɒlətə(r)" in IPA phonetic transcription. Specifically, the stress is placed on the second syllable and the "aɪ" sound represents the vowel sound in "eye." The "d" and "l" sounds are pronounced distinctly, while the final "er" is pronounced with a schwa sound. "Idolater" refers to someone who worships idols or images, and its correct spelling is essential for accurate communication.
An idolater is a noun that refers to a person who takes part in or practices idolatry. Idolatry is the worship or excessive admiration of idols or objects, usually considered to be gods or deities. The word "idolater" is derived from the term idolatry, which originated from the Latin word idololatria, meaning "worship of idols."
An idolater is someone who worships or reveres idols, figurines, or representations of supernatural beings. Often, these idols are believed to possess divine powers or to be intermediaries between humans and the spiritual realm. The act of idolatry involves offering sacrifices, prayers, or devotion to these idols, with the belief that doing so will bring about blessings, favors, or protection.
Moreover, idolatry can extend beyond religious contexts and can also be applied to excessive admiration or devotion towards a person, object, or idea. In this broader sense, an idolater may exhibit an intense and often irrational devotion towards someone or something, attributing unrealistic qualities or virtues to that entity.
It is important to note that the term "idolater" generally carries a negative connotation, as the practice of idolatry is often condemned by monotheistic religions. These religions, such as Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, advocate the worship of a single divine being and consider the adoration of idols as a violation of their core beliefs.
One who worships idols or images.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "idolater" is derived from the combination of two roots: "idol" and "ater".
The term "idol" comes from the Late Latin word "idōlum", which is a direct borrowing from the Greek term "eidōlon" meaning "image" or "phantom". In ancient Greek, "eidōlon" referred to any kind of image, likeness, or representation. Over time, it specifically came to mean the image or representation of a deity or false god.
The suffix "-ater" is used to form nouns that denote a person engaged in a particular activity or characterized by a specific quality. It comes from Latin and is commonly used in English word formations. For instance, "spectator" refers to someone who watches or observes.