moloch

Noun
Synonyms: MolochMolech

WordNet 3.0

Noun (3)

  1. a tyrannical power to be propitiated by human subservience or sacrifice“the great Moloch of war”“duty has become the Moloch of modern life — Norman Douglas”Synonyms: Moloch
  2. god of the Canaanites and Phoenicians to whom parents sacrificed their childrenSynonyms: MolochMolech
  3. any lizard of the genus Moloch
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Moloch \Mo"loch\, prop. n. [Heb. molek king.]

1.(Script.) The fire god of the Ammonites in Canaan, to whom human sacrifices were offered; Molech. Also applied figuratively. [1913 Webster]

2.(Zool.) A spiny Australian lizard (Moloch horridus). The horns on the head and numerous spines on the body give it a most formidable appearance. [1913 Webster] Molokane

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