teraph


ter·aph

T0112400 (tĕr′əf)n. pl. ter·a·phim (-ə-fĭm) A small image or idol representing an ancient Semitic household god.
[Back-formation from pl. teraphim, from Hebrew tərāpîm, household gods, perhaps pl. of *terep, tarp-*tarp-, household god, perhaps of Anatolian origin and akin to Luwian tarpalli-, ritual substitute ("one stepping in another's place, thing taking another's place"), and tarpa-, to tread, step on; akin to Greek trapein, to tread grapes, and Lithuanian trepenti, to stamp.]

teraph

(ˈtɛrəf) n, pl -aphim (-əfɪm) (Bible) Old Testament any of various small household gods or images venerated by ancient Semitic peoples. (Genesis 31:19–21; I Samuel 19:13–16)[C14: from Hebrew, of uncertain origin]

ter•aph

(ˈtɛr əf)

n., pl. -a•phim (-ə fɪm) an idol or image revered by the ancient Hebrews and kindred peoples, apparently as a household god. [1350–1400; Middle English theraphym < Late Latin < Greek < Hebrew tərāphīm]