leviathan definition - Dictionary

Dictionary

le·vi·a·than [ lə v əthən ] (plural le·vi·a·thans)

noun

Definition:

1. monster: in the Bible, a large beast or sea monster

2. something huge: something extremely large and powerful in comparison with others of its kind

3. whale: a whale or other large sea animal ( literary )

[14th century. Via late Latin< Hebrew liwyāṯān]

Cultural Note


	Leviathan, a treatise (1651) by English philosopher Thomas Hobbes. Hobbes's major work is a defense of the principle of absolute monarchy. It argues that human beings can only live in peace if they agree to subject themselves to a single, absolute ruler. Since this ruler should be answerable only to God, the Church too must be subject to civil authority.