‖ Baal
(ˈbeɪəl)
Pl. Baalim.
[Heb. ba'al lord.]
The chief male deity of the Phœnician and Canaanitish nations; hence, transf. false god.
| 1382 Wyclif Judg. ii. 13 The sones of Yrael..serueden to Baalym and Astaroth. 1535 Coverdale ibid., Serued Baal and Astaroth. 1629 Milton Ode Nativity xxii, Peor and Baälim Forsake their temples dim. 1835 J. Anderson Disc. Elijah App. 352 The title of Baal or Lord thus bestowed upon the objects of idolatry. |
b. attrib. as in Baal-priest, Baal-worship.
| 1831 Carlyle Sart. Res. ii. ix, There are True Priests, as well as Baal-Priests. 1863 N. & Q. 26 Sept. 251 Baal-worship prevailed in the pre-Christian era. |