seraphim

ser·aph

 (sĕr′əf)

n. pl. ser·a·phim (-ə-fĭm) or ser·aphs

1. Bible A celestial being having three pairs of wings.

2. seraphim Christianity The first of the nine orders of angels in medieval angelology.

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[Back-formation from pl. seraphim, from Middle English seraphin, from Old English, from Late Latin seraphīn, seraphīm, from Greek serapheim, from Hebrew śərāpîm, pl. of śārāp, fiery serpent, seraph, from śārap, to burn; see śrp in Semitic roots.]

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se·raph′ic (sə-răf′ĭk), se·raph′i·cal (-ĭ-kəl) adj.

se·raph′i·cal·ly adv.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

ser•aph

(ˈsɛr əf)

n., pl. -aphs, -a•phim (-ə fɪm)

1. one of the celestial beings hovering above God's throne in Isaiah's vision. Isa. 6.

2. a member of the highest order of angels. Compare angel (def. 1).

[1660–70; taken as singular of seraphim]

se•raph•ic (sɪˈræf ɪk) se•raph′i•cal, adj.

se•raph′i•cal•ly, adv.

Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.