lucifer
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
a name used for the Devil or Satan in Christian stories.
the name of the fallen angel often identified with Satan in Christian theology and literature.
Simple“In the old story, Lucifer was an angel who fell from heaven.”
In context“Milton's epic poem depicts Lucifer as a complex, tragic figure who leads a rebellion against divine authority.”
- 02 C2 Proficiency
a name for the planet Venus when it is seen in the sky before sunrise.
the planet Venus when appearing as the morning star. Derived from the Latin for 'light-bringer'.
Simple“The poet looked up at the fading light of Lucifer in the early morning sky.”
In context“Ancient astronomers referred to the planet as Lucifer when it heralded the dawn, unaware it was the same celestial body they called Hesperus in the evening.”
Synonymsvenusdaystar - 03 C2 Proficiency
an old word for a match used to start a fire.
an early type of friction match, typically made of wood tipped with a combustible chemical mixture.
Simple“He struck a lucifer against the wall to light his pipe.”
In context“The Victorian explorer fumbled in his pocket for a box of lucifers, desperate to provide some illumination in the damp cavern.”
Synonyms
From Middle English Lucifer, from Latin Lūcifer (from lūx (“light”) + ferō (“bear, carry”)). Attested in Old English as Lūċifer. Replaced native calque lēohtberend (“lightbearer”) also from the same Latin source. Application of the name to Satan results from what is probably a misinterpretation of Isaiah 14:12 (whence also the corresponding sense of morning star).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.