ophiolater
(ɒfɪˈɒlətə(r))
[f. ophio- + Gr. -λατρης worshipper.]
A serpent-worshipper.
| 1895 Elworthy Evil Eye ix. 315 That our Celtic fore⁓fathers were Ophiolaters. |
Hence ophiˈolatrous a., given to serpent-worship; ophiˈolatry, serpent-worship.
| 1887 A. B. Ellis Tshi-speak. Peoples vii. 95 It has been inferred that the Tshi-speaking tribes are ophiolatrous. 1862 St. James's Mag. Oct. 279 On the plains of Wiltshire still remain the traces of ophiolatry. 1864 R. F. Burton Dahome I. 96 Ophiolatry..is mostly confined to the coast regions; the Popos and Windward races worship a black snake of a larger size. 1894 Nation (N.Y.) 13 Sept. 204/1 Instead of assuming it to be a form of ophiolatry, we now recognize it..as an elaborate prayer for rain. |