Seraphin

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A celestial being found in various religious traditions, typically depicted as having a high rank and characterized by intense light and purity
2. A type of angelic figure often associated with divine love and serving as a mediator between God and humanity
3. A supernatural entity known for its role in worship and adoration, often represented as having multiple wings and a radiant appearance

Etymology: An Arabic word meaning "nobles" ended up naming the highest order of angels. The English spelling "xeraphim", of which "seraphin" is a variant, came through Portuguese "xarafin", which derives from Arabic "ašrāf", the plural of "šarīf", meaning "highborn". The same root survives in English as the title "sharif". The path from a social rank to a celestial host is not spelled out in the sources, so the connection remains a matter of transmission rather than explanation. What is clear is that the name arrived in English as a foreign borrowing, carrying its Arabic sense of rank into a word that now denotes beings of pure worship and light.

Synonyms: seraph, angel, celestial being, heavenly messenger, archangel

Antonyms: demon, devil, fiend, hellion, imp