angel en · NOUN · etymology 1
Pronunciation
- /ˈeɪ̯n.d͡ʒəl/
- /ˈæn.d͡ʒəl/ (dialectal)
- [ˈeɪ̯n.d͡ʒɛl] Caribbean, poetic, singing
- [ˈæ̝ɪ̯n.d͡ʒəl] ~ [ˈæ̝ɪ̯n.d͡ʒl̩] (Australia, New-Zealand)
- /ˈæɪ̯n.d͡ʒəl/ (Australia, New-Zealand)
- /ˈeɪn.d͡ʒɛl/ Caribbean, poetic, singing
- (UK) audio
- (US) audio
- [ˈæn.d͡ʒəl] ~ [ˈæn.d͡ʒl̩] (dialectal)
- [ˈeɪ̯n.d͡ʒəl] ~ [ˈeɪ̯n.d͡ʒl̩]
Etymology
Two Baroque angels from southern Germany, from the mid-18th century Etymology tree Ancient Greek ἄγγελος (ángelos)bor. Latin angelusbor. Proto-West Germanic *angil Old English enġel ▲ Latin angelusbor. Old English anġel Middle English aungel English angel From Middle English aungel, angel, from Old English anġel, either a modification of enġel after its etymon Latin angelus (through the intermediate of Proto-West Germanic *angil) or a reborrowing from the Latin, which is in turn from Ancient Greek ἄγγελος (ángelos, “messenger”); later reinforced by Anglo-Norman angele, angel, from the same Latin source. The religious sense of the Greek word first appeared in the Septuagint as a translation of the Hebrew word מַלְאָךְ (malʾāḵ, “messenger”) or מַלְאַךְ יהוה (malʾāḵ YHWH, “messenger of YHWH”). Doublet of Angelus. Use of the term in some churches to refer to a church official derives from interpreting the "angels" of the Seven churches of Asia in Revelation as being bishops or ministers rather than angelic beings.
Meanings
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An incorporeal and holy or semidivine messenger from a deity or other divine entity, traditionally depicted as a youthful, winged figure in flowing robes.
There seemed to be girls sitting on top of them, or maybe they were meant to be angels. Angels are usually represented as wearing more than that, though.
1982, Douglas Adams, Life, the Universe and Everything, page 50:The dear good angel of the Spring, / The nightingale.
1641, Ben Jonson, The Sad Shepherd:
- (qualifier:Abrahamic religion) An incorporeal and holy or semidivine messenger from a deity or other divine entity, traditionally depicted as a youthful, winged figure in flowing robes. ▸ One of the lowest order of such beings, below virtues.
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(figuratively) A person having qualities traditionally attributed to angels. ▸ Someone who is pure or innocent.
Michael Brown, 18, due to be buried on Monday, was no angel, with public records and interviews with friends and family revealing both problems and promise in his young life.
2014 August 25, John Eligon, “Michael Brown Spent Last Weeks Grappling With Problems and Promise”, in The New York Times, →ISSN:
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(figuratively) A person having qualities traditionally attributed to angels. ▸ Someone who is kind or selfless.
Thanks for making me breakfast in bed, you little angel.
- (figuratively) A person having qualities traditionally attributed to angels. ▸ Someone, especially a woman or child, having youthful, wholesome, or radiant beauty.
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(obsolete) Attendant spirit; genius; demon.
Diſpaire thy Charme, / And let the Angell whom thou ſtill haſt ſeru’d / Tell thee, Macduffe was from his Mothers womb / Vntimely ript.
c. 1606 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Macbeth”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene viii], page 151, column 1, lines 13–14:
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(obsolete, possibly) An official (a bishop, or sometimes a minister) who heads a Christian church, especially a Catholic Apostolic Church.
An apostle, or angel, or bishop, as he is now called, resided with a college of presbyters about him, in every considerable city of the Roman empire; to that angel or bishop, was committed the pastoral care of all the Christian in the city and its suburbs, extending as far on all sides as the jurisdiction of the civil magistrate extended;
1817, Thomas Stackhouse, A history of the holy Bible, corrected and improved by G. Gleig, page 504:The second or highest grade consists of the Angels or Bishops of Churches. Each Church has its Angel, who has (1) the higher supervision and care of all the flock, (2) the supervision and care of the Priests under him, and (3) the care of the Church itself.
1878, Edward Miller, The History and Doctrines of Irvingism Or of the So-called Catholic and Apostolic Church, § 9 Pastors, page 50 (discussing the structure of the early Christian church and of the Catholic Apostolic Church)[…] the head of that Church, in whose place I stand in my Church, and in whose place no other standeth (the elders and deacons have their place, but this belongeth to the angel or minister of the Church), and the Lord commendeth him for trying […]
1832, Edward Irving, speech before the Presbytery of London, quoted in 1862, Margaret Oliphant, The Life of Edward Irving, Minister of the National Scotch Church, London: Illustrated by His Journals and Correspondence, page 429
- (historical) An English gold coin, bearing the figure of the archangel Michael, circulated between the 15th and 17th centuries, and varying in value from six shillings and eightpence to ten shillings.
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(slang) An altitude, measured in thousands of feet.
And even now part of me flies over Dresden at angels one five; / Though they’ll never fathom it, behind my sarcasm desperate memories lie.
1983 March 21, Roger Waters, “The Hero's Return”, in The Final Cut, performed by Pink Floyd:Climb to angels sixty.
- (colloquial, dated) An unidentified flying object detected by air traffic control radar.
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someone that funds ▸ An angel investor.
“Latent” angels are defined as those who have not invested capital in the past 12 months, although they likely have invested knowledge in the process of reviewing potential investments.
2011, OECD, Financing High-Growth Firms: The Role of Angel Investors:
- someone that funds ▸ The person who funds a show.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| angels | Number=Plur | lexicographic | |
| angell | alternative, obsolete | lexicographic | |
| Angel | alternative | lexicographic |
Deriveds
angels moving the furniture · nonangel · angel baby · angel investment · angel fish · angel lute · angelolatry · angelship · angel fangs · angel date · angelomachy · angel pie · blue angel · swamp angel · angel shot · angel mom · angelicity · better angels · angel bed · ministering angel · Dutch angel dragon · angel insect · gyrating angel · angelkind · angelic · Angel City · angelism · an angel passes · angel sleeve · angelology · angel's tears · angel salad · angelography · shoulder angel · destroying angel · angelhood · angel-food cake · sweat angel · strangling angel · angelomorphic · angel biscuit · angel aura · flare angel · angel wings · angelize · death angel · high angel · angelical · angel tern · angel dusting · angelistic · sea angel · angel wing · angelist · fallen angel · angel cake · archangel · angel gear · European destroying angel · guardian angel · angelocracy · angel lust · angel maker · angelly · angel's dram · angel shark · angel-lore · recording angel · angel number · angelization · weeping angel · angel hair · trail angel · angeliferous · sun-angel · spring destroying angel · half-angel · angeldom · angel food · sunangel · angel particle · angel fingers · angel food cake · angelfish · don't drive faster than your guardian angel can fly · angelophany · angelify · angellike · angel-drawers · angel dust · angel water · angel day · angel hat · patience of an angel · angelise · angel eye · angely · angel of mercy · strangling angel of children · business angel · angel bites · wall angel · angel of death · angelless · angelage · snow angel
Descendants
anjely · anzelu · ienjel · ensel · 安琪兒 · 安琪儿 · ʻānela · insal · anjelu
Hyponyms
minion · principality · cherub · power · seraph · throne
Relateds
Angelus · evangel · Angel · Angelo
Synonyms
backer · errand-ghost (spiritual messenger) · angel-noble
Translations (324)
az fəriştə (messenger from a deity) · bg а́нгел (messenger from a deity) · fr ange (selfless person) · fa فَرِشْتَه (selfless person) · gd aingeal (selfless person) · fo eingil (in Christian angelology, the lowest order of angels) · ms malaikat (messenger from a deity) · fa فِرِشْتِه (selfless person) · koi идӧг (messenger from a deity) · scn ànciulu (messenger from a deity) · fur agnul (messenger from a deity) · os зӕд (messenger from a deity) · fy ingel (selfless person) · fa مَلَک (messenger from a deity) · ms malak (messenger from a deity) · sk anjel (selfless person) · inh малайк (messenger from a deity) · zh 天使 (messenger from a deity) · lo ເທວະດາ (messenger from a deity) · ar مَلَاك (messenger from a deity) · ar مَلْأَك (messenger from a deity) · sk anjel (in Christian angelology, the lowest order of angels) · el άγγελος (messenger from a deity) · uz farishta (messenger from a deity) · et ingel (in Christian angelology, the lowest order of angels) · dar муъмин (messenger from a deity) · ba фәрештә (messenger from a deity) · sh а̑нђео (selfless person) · ur مَلَک (messenger from a deity) · cu анг҄елъ (messenger from a deity) · af engel (messenger from a deity) · csb janiół (messenger from a deity) · kw el (messenger from a deity) · jct melek (messenger from a deity) · hi फ़रिश्ता (messenger from a deity) · mt anġlu (messenger from a deity) · ms bidadari (messenger from a deity) · ang engel (in Christian angelology, the lowest order of angels) · nn engel (messenger from a deity) · rm anguel (messenger from a deity) · ti መልኣኽ (messenger from a deity) · njo-jgl tenyar (messenger from a deity) · he מַלְאָךְ (messenger from a deity) · sv ängel (selfless person) · xmf ანგელოზი (messenger from a deity) · sv ängel (messenger from a deity) · rm aunghel (messenger from a deity) · sw malaika (messenger from a deity) · scn àncilu (messenger from a deity) · wal kiitanchchaa (messenger from a deity) · non engill (messenger from a deity) · kbd мэлэӏыч (messenger from a deity) · vec ànxelo (messenger from a deity) · es ángel (selfless person) · esu an'gilaq (messenger from a deity) · uli anggeliius (messenger from a deity) · cs anděl (messenger from a deity) · crh melek (messenger from a deity) · pl anioł (selfless person) · so malak (messenger from a deity) · lo ເທບ (messenger from a deity) · sw malaika (in Christian angelology, the lowest order of angels) · xal сәкүсн (in Christian angelology, the lowest order of angels) · ga aingeal (messenger from a deity) · fro angle (messenger from a deity) · fy ingel (in Christian angelology, the lowest order of angels) · tk melek (messenger from a deity) · ota ملك (selfless person) · kmr milyaket (messenger from a deity) · sty пәрештә (messenger from a deity) · az ملک (messenger from a deity) · hi फ़रिश्ता (selfless person) · ml മാലാഖ (messenger from a deity) · kpv идӧг (messenger from a deity) · sh ȃnđeo (selfless person) · ps پرښته (messenger from a deity) · ak ɔbɔfoɔ (messenger from a deity) · ckb فریشتە (messenger from a deity) · xal сәкүсн (messenger from a deity) · tl anghel (messenger from a deity) · si දේවදූතයා (messenger from a deity) · hu angyal (selfless person) · os дзуар (messenger from a deity) · ja 天使 (in Christian angelology, the lowest order of angels) · lv eņģelis (messenger from a deity) · ar مَلَك (messenger from a deity) · nl engel (selfless person) · dar малайк (messenger from a deity) · hy հրեշտակ (selfless person) · et ingel (messenger from a deity) · gd aingeal (messenger from a deity) · lb Engel (messenger from a deity) · krc мёлек (messenger from a deity) · hsb jandźel (messenger from a deity) · zu ingelosi (messenger from a deity) · nl engel (messenger from a deity) · sms aʹŋǧǧel (messenger from a deity) · br ael (messenger from a deity) · wym engl (messenger from a deity) · nv God bidiyin naalʼaʼí (messenger from a deity) · krc салымчы (messenger from a deity) · hy հրեշտակ (messenger from a deity) · be анёл (messenger from a deity) · av малаик (messenger from a deity) · hi देवता (messenger from a deity) · el άγγελος (selfless person) · az mələk (messenger from a deity) · tr ferişte (messenger from a deity) · chr ᎠᏂᏓᏪᎯ (messenger from a deity) · nn engel (in Christian angelology, the lowest order of angels) · sl angel (messenger from a deity) · pa ਫ਼ਰਿਸ਼ਤਾ (messenger from a deity) · fo eingil (messenger from a deity) · om maleeka (messenger from a deity) · mk ангел (selfless person) · id malaikat (messenger from a deity) · gag angil (messenger from a deity) · jam aynjel (messenger from a deity) · zh 安琪兒 /安琪儿 (messenger from a deity) · nb engel (in Christian angelology, the lowest order of angels) · el άγγελος (in Christian angelology, the lowest order of angels) · ka ანგელოზი (messenger from a deity) · izh ängeli (messenger from a deity) · ta மாலாகர் (messenger from a deity) · is engill (messenger from a deity) · wa andje (messenger from a deity) · hi फरिश्ता (messenger from a deity) · gur malɛka (in Christian angelology, the lowest order of angels) · fi enkeli (in Christian angelology, the lowest order of angels) · got 𐌰𐌲𐌲𐌹𐌻𐌿𐍃 (messenger from a deity) · uk я́нгол (messenger from a deity) · ja 天使 (messenger from a deity) · gez መልአክ (messenger from a deity) · ps ملک (messenger from a deity) · tr melek (selfless person) · tg фаришта (messenger from a deity) · fa فَرِشْتَه (messenger from a deity) · qu anqil (messenger from a deity) · th เทวดา (messenger from a deity) · oc àngel (messenger from a deity) · te దేవదూత (messenger from a deity) · lad malah (messenger from a deity) · kdr filäştä (messenger from a deity) · grc ἄγγελος (messenger from a deity) · pdt Enjel (messenger from a deity) · fa مَلَک (messenger from a deity) · vi thiên thần (messenger from a deity) · ce малик (messenger from a deity) · cy angyles (messenger from a deity) · mn сахиулсан тэнгэр (messenger from a deity) · ta தேவதூதர் (messenger from a deity) · nb engel (selfless person) · mdf анголь (messenger from a deity) · uk а́нгел (messenger from a deity) · ga aingeal (selfless person) · kdr melek (messenger from a deity) · lad מלאך (messenger from a deity) · gd aingeal (in Christian angelology, the lowest order of angels) · eo anĝelo (messenger from a deity) · fa مَلَک (messenger from a deity) · rcf zanz (messenger from a deity) · tmr מַלְאֲכָא (messenger from a deity) · ga aingeal (in Christian angelology, the lowest order of angels) · nl engel (in Christian angelology, the lowest order of angels) · ky периште (messenger from a deity) · hi देवदूत (messenger from a deity) · mos malɛka (messenger from a deity) · fi enkeli (selfless person) · sdc àngniru (messenger from a deity) · sc ànzelu (messenger from a deity) · gl anxo (messenger from a deity) · sk anjel (messenger from a deity) · ko 천사 (messenger from a deity) · sh а̑нђео (in Christian angelology, the lowest order of angels) · tt фәрештә (messenger from a deity) · hu angyal (messenger from a deity) · kgp jẽnẽ jamã (messenger from a deity) · rup anghil (messenger from a deity) · hi मलक (messenger from a deity) · kmr melek (messenger from a deity) · nb engel (messenger from a deity) · sq engjëll (messenger from a deity) · sh ȃnđeo (in Christian angelology, the lowest order of angels) · tmr מַלְאֲכָא (in Christian angelology, the lowest order of angels) · my ကောင်းကင်တမန် (messenger from a deity) · ur فَرِشْتَہ (messenger from a deity) · vo silanan (messenger from a deity) · nn engel (selfless person) · la angelus (messenger from a deity) · sh anđeo (messenger from a deity) · pt anjo (selfless person) · da engel (selfless person) · fr ange (messenger from a deity) · xag 𐔰𐕎𐔲𐔴𐔾𐕒𐕚 (in Christian angelology, the lowest order of angels) · ru а́нгел (selfless person) · lbe малаик (messenger from a deity) · bbl აჼგლოზ (messenger from a deity) · bn ফেরেশতা (messenger from a deity) · yao lilayika class 5 (messenger from a deity) · az firiştə (messenger from a deity) · xsv engelas (in Christian angelology, the lowest order of angels) · ota ملك (in Christian angelology, the lowest order of angels) · sro angìulu (messenger from a deity) · yue 天使 (messenger from a deity) · rsk ангел (messenger from a deity) · sah аанньал (messenger from a deity) · rm ànghel (messenger from a deity) · rm anghel (messenger from a deity) · nog маьлек (messenger from a deity) · am መልአክ (messenger from a deity) · uk я́нгол (in Christian angelology, the lowest order of angels) · haw ʻānela (messenger from a deity) · ug پەرىشتە (messenger from a deity) · ar مَلَاك (messenger from a deity) · lez малаик (messenger from a deity) · cy angel (messenger from a deity) · osx engil (messenger from a deity) · abq мальаикь (messenger from a deity) · arc ܡܠܐܟܐ (in Christian angelology, the lowest order of angels) · ps فرشته (messenger from a deity) · non engill (in Christian angelology, the lowest order of angels) · sva ა̈ნგუ̂ლეზ (messenger from a deity) · ne देवदुत (messenger from a deity) · gur malɛka (messenger from a deity) · yi מלאך (messenger from a deity) · ttt малах (messenger from a deity) · es ángel (in Christian angelology, the lowest order of angels) · ang engel (messenger from a deity) · sh анђео (messenger from a deity) · pl anioł (in Christian angelology, the lowest order of angels) · mk ангел (in Christian angelology, the lowest order of angels) · sc ànghelu (messenger from a deity) · ht zanj (messenger from a deity) · crg naazh (messenger from a deity) · es ángel (messenger from a deity) · jam ienjel (messenger from a deity) · ab амаалықь (messenger from a deity) · ca àngel (messenger from a deity) · to 'angelo (messenger from a deity) · ady мэлэӏич (messenger from a deity) · ce ангела (messenger from a deity) · ms bidadara (messenger from a deity) · fi enkeli (messenger from a deity) · nv diyin naalʼaʼí (messenger from a deity) · cv пирӗшти (messenger from a deity) · de Engel (in Christian angelology, the lowest order of angels) · ast ánxel (messenger from a deity) · fa فَرِشْتَه (messenger from a deity) · ro înger (messenger from a deity) · ota فرشته (messenger from a deity) · ota ملك (messenger from a deity) · nds Engel (messenger from a deity) · lb Engel (selfless person) · orv анъгелъ (messenger from a deity) · kaa perishte (messenger from a deity) · lb Engel (in Christian angelology, the lowest order of angels) · gml Engel (messenger from a deity) · ny mngelo (messenger from a deity) · xag 𐔰𐕎𐔲𐔴𐔾𐕒𐕚 (messenger from a deity) · esu aankilaq (messenger from a deity) · bn দেবদূত (messenger from a deity) · km ទេព (messenger from a deity) · de Engel (messenger from a deity) · pl anioł (messenger from a deity) · kmr firîşte (messenger from a deity) · ru а́нгел (in Christian angelology, the lowest order of angels) · sty бириштә (messenger from a deity) · pt anjo (in Christian angelology, the lowest order of angels) · ja 天の使い (messenger from a deity) · fa فِرِشْتِه (messenger from a deity) · dlg энгил (messenger from a deity) · gag ayoz (messenger from a deity) · fr ange (in Christian angelology, the lowest order of angels) · tg малак (messenger from a deity) · ar مَلَاك (messenger from a deity) · pt anjo (messenger from a deity) · ru а́нгел (messenger from a deity) · it angelo (messenger from a deity) · pa فَرِشْتَہ (messenger from a deity) · id bidadari (messenger from a deity) · vi thiên sứ (messenger from a deity) · arc ܡܠܐܟܐ (messenger from a deity) · uz malak (messenger from a deity) · nog периште (messenger from a deity) · fro angele (messenger from a deity) · zh 天使 (messenger from a deity) · km ទេពតា (messenger from a deity) · de Engel (selfless person) · hu tündér (selfless person) · hi फरिश्ता (selfless person) · tr melek (messenger from a deity) · zh тянщян (messenger from a deity) · ang ār (messenger from a deity) · kum малайик (messenger from a deity) · ug مەلائىك (messenger from a deity) · myv армо (messenger from a deity) · hy հրեշտակ (in Christian angelology, the lowest order of angels) · lt angelas (messenger from a deity) · rue а́нгел (messenger from a deity) · da engel (in Christian angelology, the lowest order of angels) · sd ملائڪ (messenger from a deity) · kk періште (messenger from a deity) · rm aungel (messenger from a deity) · is engill (selfless person) · lo ເທວະ (messenger from a deity) · tk perişde (messenger from a deity) · az فرشته (messenger from a deity) · uk я́нгол (selfless person) · sro ànghelu (messenger from a deity) · swb malaika (in Christian angelology, the lowest order of angels) · sv ängel (in Christian angelology, the lowest order of angels) · lad andjel (messenger from a deity) · da engel (messenger from a deity) · be а́нгел (messenger from a deity) · is engill (in Christian angelology, the lowest order of angels) · fy ingel (messenger from a deity) · crh ferişte (messenger from a deity) · et ingel (selfless person) · st lengeloi (messenger from a deity) · mk ангел (messenger from a deity) · tab малайик (messenger from a deity) · gag melek (messenger from a deity) · ar مَلَاك (messenger from a deity) · th ทูตสวรรค์ (messenger from a deity)
wikipedia: Seven churches of Asia · wikipedia: angel · wikipedia: Florence Baptistery