demigod
/ˈdemiɡɒd/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈdemiɡɑːd/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈde-mē-ˌgäd/ (ame, mw)
demigod — noun
- demigodsingular
- demigodsplural
1. a character in traditional stories who has one human parent and one divine paren
a character in traditional stories who has one human parent and one divine parent, so they stand between ordinary people and the gods.
In the tale, the young demigod lifted a fallen gate to save the city.
demigod + heroic action in a tale
Each spring, children in Crete acted out the birth of a local demigod.
The film follows a demigod who must choose between his mother and Olympus.
After the storm, villagers prayed to the sea demigod for calm water.
- half-god
a near equivalent that directly stresses mixed divine and human origin
- hero
broader and often human; not every hero has a divine parent
- mythic being
much broader and can include creatures that are not partly human
文法句型
a demigod in myth
a demigod with a human mother
the demigod son/daughter of + [god]
用法筆記
Used mainly for figures in Greek or similar myth traditions. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense refers to a literally partly divine being inside a story world.
常見錯誤
2. someone whose talent, power, or influence makes other people admire them almost
someone whose talent, power, or influence makes other people admire them almost as if they were above normal human life.
To the young players, Coach Rivera seemed like a demigod after three titles.
seem like a demigod after repeated success
Fans treated the singer as a demigod after her comeback tour.
treat someone as a demigod
At school, Arman was a chess demigod who almost never lost.
In the newsroom, new reporters treated the editor like a demigod and checked every word.
- ordinary person
someone viewed without special awe or status
文法句型
treat/see + someone + as a demigod
become a demigod to/among + [group]
a demigod in + sport/politics/music
用法筆記
Often used for famous or highly respected people in sport, music, politics, or school life, sometimes with a slightly exaggerated or ironic tone. Unlike sense 1, this sense is metaphorical and refers to a real person.