Hagiography - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Hagiography is a biography that idealizes its subject, often portraying them as saints or heroes. It is commonly used in religious contexts but can also describe overly flattering accounts of individuals.
Definition:
A biography that idealizes its subject, often a saint or revered figure.
Synonyms:
panegyric, eulogy, glorification, adulation
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
critique, exposé
Common Collocations:
medieval hagiography, religious hagiography, saintly hagiography
Derivatives:
hagiographer, hagiographic, hagiographical
Usage Tips:
Use "hagiography" to describe overly flattering biographies that omit flaws or criticisms of the subject.
Common Phrases:
saint's hagiography, pious hagiography, uncritical hagiography
Etymology:
From Greek "hagios" (holy) + "graphia" (writing), meaning writings about saints or revered figures.
Examples:
- 1. The monk wrote a hagiography praising the saint’s miracles and virtues.
- 2. Modern historians criticize the book as mere hagiography for ignoring the leader’s flaws.
- 3. Her biography avoided controversy, leaning more toward hagiography than objective analysis.
- 4. The film was accused of being a hagiography for its glowing portrayal of the celebrity.