satan
satan Lexical Profile
• noun
(Usually capitalized) In Abrahamic religions, the supreme spirit of evil, spiritual adversary of God and humanity, and ruler of Hell; the Devil.
"In John Milton's epic poem Paradise Lost, Satan is portrayed as a proud and rebellious fallen angel."
A profoundly wicked, cruel, or malevolent person or adversary.
"The tyrannical ruler was regarded by his oppressed subjects as a veritable satan."
• Rhymes for satan
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English Satan, via Late Latin Satan and Ancient Greek Satanas, borrowed from Biblical Hebrew satan meaning 'adversary, opponent, or accuser.' In early Hebrew texts, the term functioned as a common noun denoting an earthly or heavenly prosecutor before evolving into the proper name of the chief theological adversary.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.