angelship

English

Etymology

From angel +‎ -ship.

Pronunciation

(UK) IPA^(key): /ˈeɪnd͡ʒəlʃɪp/

Noun

angelship (countable and uncountable, plural angelships)

The role or status of an angel; the condition of being an angel.
Synonym: angelhood
- 1893, The King and the Kingdom: A Study of the Four Gospels‎^[1], page 52:
  The essence of angelship or messengership is ministration to the service of mankind: 'Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to do service for the sake of them that shall inherit salvation?'
- c. 1901–1902, Mark Twain, As Regards Patriotism‎^[2]:
  There is nothing training cannot do. Nothing is above its reach. It can turn bad morals to good; it can destroy bad principles and recreate good ones; it can lift men to angelship.
- 2021, Lucinda Roy, The Freedom Race‎^[3], →ISBN:
  Overheard him and Petrus plotting to get rid of you. Had to let my contact know, 'specially as I was charged with angelship over you.
(often ironic) Used as a title or term of address for an angel or virtuous person.
- 1822, Vargas: A Tale of Spain‎^[4], volume 3, page 198:
  "His angelship was amazingly condescending," said Vargas, who could scarcely smother his laughter.
- 1895, James Ewing Ritchie, Crying for the Light or Fifty Years Ago‎^[5], →ISBN:
  'Your angelship has only to speak, and I am at your feet,' said the smoker with a theatrical flourish, dimly seen, and scarcely appreciated.
- 2003, Jean Saunders, Unforgettable‎^[6], published 2013, →ISBN:
  'Yes, your angelship, and if you don't take that bleedin' saucepan off the gas, you'll stink the place out,' Dolly said tartly, back on form almost instantly.