Theodicy, thē-od′i-si, n. a name given to the exposition of the theory of Divine Providence, with a view especially to the vindication of the sanctity and justice of God in establishing the present order of things, in which evil, moral as well as physical, so largely appears to prevail.—adj. Theodicē′an. [Gr. theos, God, dikē, justice.]
Theodolite, thē-od′ō-līt, n. an instrument used in land-surveying for the measurement of angles horizontal and vertical, being neither more nor less than an altitude and azimuth instrument, proportioned and constructed so as to be conveniently portable.—adj. Theodolit′ic. [Ety. unknown; Gr. theasthai, to see + hodos, way + litos, smooth; theasthai + dolichos, long, &c.]
Theogony, thē-og′ō-ni, n. the birth and genealogy of the gods, esp. as told in ancient poetry.—adj. Theogon′ic.—n. Theog′onist, a writer on theogony. [Gr. theogonia—theos, a god, gonē, genos, race—genein, to beget.]
Theology, thē-ol′ō-ji, n. the science which treats of God, and of man's duty to Him—Natural, as discoverable by the light of reason alone; or Positive or Revealed, based on the study of divine revelation.—ns. Theol′ogaster (-gas-), a shallow fellow who pretends to a knowledge of theology; Theol′ogate (-gāt), the course of study for R.C. priests; Theol′oger, a theologian; Theolō′gian, one well versed in theology: a divine, a professor of or writer on divinity, esp. in R.C. usage, a theological lecturer attached to a cathedral church—also Theolō′gus (-gus).—adjs. Theolog′ic, -al, pertaining to theology or divinity.—adv. Theolog′ically.—n. Theolog′ics, theological disputation.—v.t. Theol′ogise, to render theological.—v.i. to make a system of theology.—ns. Theol′ogiser, one who theologises; Theol′ogist, a student in the science of theology: a theologian; Thē′ologue (-log), a theologian, esp. a theological student. [Gr. theologia—theos, God, logos, a treatise.]
Theomachy, thē-om′a-ki, n. a fighting against the gods, as by the Titans and giants: (Bacon) opposition to the divine will.—n. Theom′achist. [Gr. theomachia—theos, a god, machē, a battle.]
Theomancy, thē′ō-man-si, n. divination by means of oracles, sibyls, and other persons inspired immediately by some divinity.—adj. Thēōman′tic. [Gr., theos, a god, manteia, divination.]
Theomania, thē-ō-mā′ni-a, n. a madman's belief that he himself is God, or that God dwells in him.—n. Theomā′niac, one who shows theomania. [Gr., theos, God, mania, madness.]
Theomorphic, thē-ō-mor′fik, adj. having the form or likeness of a god.—n. Theomor′phism. [Gr., theos, a god, morphē, form.]
Theopaschite, thē-ō-pas′kīt, n. a by-name applied to such as accepted the formula, that, in the passion of Christ, 'God had suffered and been crucified.' It was applied to the Monophysites.—n. Theopas′chitism. [Gr., theos, God, paschein, to suffer.]
Theopathy, thē-ōp′a-thi, n. religious emotion aroused by meditation about God.—adj. Theopathet′ic.