cherubim

See also: Cherubim

English

Etymology

From Middle English cherubin, cherubine, cherubym, cherubyn, cherybin, gerubin, jerubin, from Old English cerubin, cerubim, ceruphin, cherubin, from Latin cherūbīn, cherūbīm, from Ancient Greek χερουβίν (kheroubín), χερουβείν (kheroubeín), χερουβίμ (kheroubím), from Hebrew כְּרוּבִים (k'ruvím), from כְּרוּב (kruv) + ־ִים (-ím).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈtʃɛ.ɹ(j)u.bɪm/

• Audio (UK):

  (file)

Noun

cherubim

1. plural of cherub

   Coordinate term: seraphim

   • 2010, Pseudonymous Bosch [pseudonym; Raphael Simon], “The Royal Kennels”, in This Isn’t What It Looks Like (The Secret Series; 4), New York, N.Y.: Little, Brown and Company, →ISBN; republished London: Usborne, 2014, →ISBN:

     The kennels occupied a long brick building designed to resemble the palace in miniature. Inside, the walls were painted with murals of dogs frolicking in the woods and giving chase to a frightened fox while chubby canine cherubim smiled down at them.

Noun

cherubim (plural cherubims)

1. A cherub.
   • 1846 October 1 – 1848 April 1, Charles Dickens, Dombey and Son, London: Bradbury and Evans, […], published 1848, →OCLC:

     As he looks up at the organ, Miss Tox in the gallery shrinks behind the fat leg of a cherubim on a monument, with cheeks like a young Wind, Captain Cuttle, on the contrary, stands up and waves his hook, in token of welcome and encouragement.

   • 2014, Rebecca Tourniaire, King of the Ark, page 44:

     Again, if we put the two cherubims on each side but still on the lid, the size of the Ark doesn't allow enough space for a King, […]

Latin

Pronunciation

• (Classical Latin) IPA^(key): /kʰeˈruː.biːm/, [kʰɛˈruːbiːm]
• (modern Italianate Ecclesiastical) IPA^(key): /keˈru.bim/, [keˈruːbim]

Noun

cherūbīm

1. plural of cherūb

Portuguese

Noun

cherubim m (plural cherubins)

1. Pre-reform spelling (used until 1943 in Brazil and 1911 in Portugal) of querubim.