ophiolatry

[ of-ee-ol-uh-tree, oh-fee- ]

noun

1. the worship of snakes.

Other Words From

• ophi·ola·ter noun
• ophi·ola·trous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ophiolatry¹

1860–65; < Greek óphi ( s ) snake + (id)olatry

Example Sentences

Phallic worship would seem to have been always confined to these temples, with ophiolatry—the nagas or water-snake deities being accommodated in sacred tanks, in the midst of which the early Kashmir temples were usually placed.

From Project Gutenberg