ENGLISH
REFERENCE

antichrist

n. countable
C2 Proficiency UK //ˈæntɪkɹˌaɪst// an·tichrist Vulgar

n. a person who is the complete opposite of Christ and represents pure evil. In common speech, it is used to describe someone you think is extremely cruel or wicked.

n. a person or power regarded as the ultimate antagonist of Christ, typically associated with the end of the world in Christian theology. In secular contexts, it functions as a hyperbolic descriptor for an exceptionally malevolent individual.


SIMPLE

The villain in the movie was portrayed as a modern antichrist.

CONTEXTUAL

Throughout history, various political leaders have been branded as the antichrist by their most fervent religious opponents.

COMPLEX

The poem explores the duality of human nature, suggesting that the potential for both the saint and the antichrist exists within every soul, depending on the choices one makes.

Origin

From Middle English Antecrist, from late Old English Antecrist, from Late Latin antichrīstus, from Ancient Greek ἀντίχριστος (antíkhristos). By surface analysis, anti- + Christ. The modern spelling of the word is due to an effort to reflect the Latin etymon. Sense 2 refers to the United Nations being the subject of conspiracy theories as a global power and a perceived enemy.

Usage

When referring to the specific biblical figure, it is usually capitalised as 'the Antichrist'.

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