Goliaths

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Extremely large or powerful figures often seen as dominant or unbeatable in their fields
2. Individuals or objects notable for their exceptional size or strength that overshadow others
3. Entities characterized by great magnitude or influence that make a strong impression due to their prominence

Etymology: The plural of "Goliath," the giant Philistine champion whom the young David defeats with a sling and stone in the Hebrew Bible (1 Samuel 17). The name is of uncertain origin, and scholars have proposed several Semitic and Philistine sources, none of them settled. In the Bible Goliath is described as over six cubits tall, a height that grew in later retellings and gave the name its association with towering size. English has used "Goliath" to mean a huge person or thing since the Middle Ages, and the plural "Goliaths" follows the usual pattern for nouns ending in "-th." The figurative sense, a rival or opponent of overwhelming size that dwarfs everything around it, comes straight from the biblical story, where the small underdog toppled the giant. That reversal is why the name is so often used for corporations and institutions that seem invincible.

Synonyms: giants, behemoths

Antonyms: dwarfs, minnows