Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
Christ [krahyst] Word Origin noun
- Jesus of Nazareth, held by Christians to be the fulfillment of prophecies in the Old Testament regarding the eventual coming of a Messiah.
- the Messiah prophesied in the Old Testament (used chiefly in versions of the New Testament).
- someone regarded as similar to Jesus of Nazareth.
interjection
- Sometimes Offensive. (used as an oath or strong expression of disbelief, dismay, awe, disappointment, pain, etc.)
Origin of Christ learned respelling of Middle English, Old English Crīst Latin Chrīstus Greek chrīstos anointed, translation of Hebrew māshīaḥ anointed, Messiah Related Words for christ lord, savior, Christ, Jesus, Messiah, redeemer, Emmanuel British Dictionary definitions for christ Christ noun
- Jesus of Nazareth (Jesus Christ), regarded by Christians as fulfilling Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah
- the Messiah or anointed one of God as the subject of Old Testament prophecies
- an image or picture of Christ
interjection
- taboo, slang an oath expressing annoyance, surprise, etc
See also Jesus Derived FormsChristly, adjectiveWord Origin for Christ Old English Crīst, from Latin Chrīstus, from Greek khristos anointed one (from khriein to anoint), translating Hebrew māshīah Messiah Word Origin and History for christ Christ n.
title given to Jesus of Nazareth, Old English crist (by 830, perhaps 675), from Latin Christus, from Greek khristos “the anointed” (translation of Hebrew mashiah; see messiah), noun use of verbal adjective of khriein “to rub, anoint” (see chrism). The Latin term drove out Old English Hæland “healer, savior,” as the preferred descriptive term for Jesus.
A title, treated as a proper name in Old English, but not regularly capitalized until 17c. Pronunciation with long -i- is result of Irish missionary work in England, 7c.-8c. The ch- form, regular since c.1500 in English, was rare before. Capitalization of the word begins 14c. but is not fixed until 17c. The 17c. mystical sect of the Familists edged it toward a verb with Christed “made one with Christ.”
christ in Culture Christ
A title for Jesus meaning “Messiah” or “anointed one.”
Christ
A title by which Christians (see also Christian) refer to Jesus. The word is a Greek translation of the Hebrew messiah, meaning “the anointed one.”