cherub

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cher·ub / ˈcherəb/ • n. (pl. cher·u·bim) / ˈcher(y)əbim/ a winged angelic being described in biblical tradition as attending on God. It is regarded in traditional Christian angelology as an angel of the second highest order of the ninefold celestial hierarchy. ∎  (pl. cher·u·bim / ˈcher(y)əˌbim/ or cher·ubs) a representation of a cherub in art, depicted as a chubby, healthy-looking child with wings. ∎  (pl. cher·ubs) a beautiful or innocent-looking child.ORIGIN: Old English cherubin, ultimately (via Latin and Greek) from Hebrew kĕrūb, plural kĕrūbīm. A rabbinic folk etymology, which explains the Hebrew singular form as representing Aramaic kĕ-rabyā ‘like a child,’ led to the representation of the cherub as a child.

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