henotheismn.
/ˈhɛnə(ʊ)ˌθiːɪz(ə)m/, /ˌhɛnə(ʊ)ˈθiːɪz(ə)m/, U.S. /ˈhɛnoʊθiˌɪzəm/, /ˈhɛnəθiˌɪzəm/, /ˌhɛnoʊˈθiˌɪzəm/, /ˌhɛnəˈθiˌɪzəm/ A form of faith which, although recognizing the existence (or potential existence) of several gods, makes only one god the centre of its worship. Cf. monotheism n. 1a, kathenotheism n.
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society > faith > aspects of faith > theism > [noun] > henotheism
henotheism1860
1860 F. M. Müller in Times 14 Apr. 6/5 The latter form of faith, the belief in One God, is properly called Monotheism, whereas the term of Henotheism would best express the faith in a single god.
1879 P. Le P. Renouf Lect. Orig. Relig. 217 The nature of Henotheism as distinct from Monotheism was explained in last year's lectures as a phase of religious thought in which the individual gods invoked are not conceived as limited by the power of others.
1917 L. H. Wild Evol. Hebrew People xii. 120 It seems quite apparent that the Hebrew people were for long in the stage of henotheism when they recognized that Yahweh was the only God for them, but that other nations had other gods who were real and to be feared.
2016 New Indian Express (Nexis) 24 Apr. Do I really care whether so and so labelled Hinduism as polytheism, henotheism or kathenotheism?
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2019; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1860