Sekirov Dictionary

leviathan

UK /lɪˈvaɪəθn̩/US /ləˈvaɪəθ(ə)n/

noun 4
adjective 1
forms 2

noun4

•
A vast sea monster of tremendous strength, either imaginary or real, described as the most dangerous and powerful creature in the ocean.
- The fomie vvaues out of the dreadfull deep, / The huge Leuiathan, dame Natures vvonder, / Making his sport, that manie makes to vveep: […] — 1591
•
(figurative) A thing which is monstrously great in size, strength, etc. (especially a ship); also, a person with great power or wealth.
- Of this last request, the Lacquy of this great Leuiathan, promisde he should be maister, but he vvould not bring him to a miles end by land, (they vvere too many to meddle vvith). — 1606
•
(figurative) Sometimes in the form Leviathan: based on the writings of Thomas Hobbes, the political state, especially a domineering and totalitarian one.
- The fact is that [Thomas] Hobbes is interested in neither, but concerned exclusively with the political structure itself, and he depicts the features of man according to the needs of the Leviathan. — 1951
(figurative, no longer used) Synonym of Satan (“the supreme evil spirit in the Abrahamic religions, who tempts humanity into sin; the Devil”).

adjective1

•
Very large; enormous, gargantuan.
- Her virtuous, pale-blue, saucerlike eyes flooded with leviathan tears on unexpected occasions and made Yossarian mad. — 1961

forms

Leviathans · leviathans

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