christ
UK[krʌɪst]US[kraɪst]
n
A title used for Jesus of Nazareth, regarded by Christians as the promised Messiah and the son of God.
n
Used as a name for Jesus.
Etymology
The English word 'Christ' is a direct borrowing from the Greek 'Christos', meaning 'anointed one'. This Greek term was used to translate the Hebrew 'Mashiach' (Messiah), which carries the same meaning of a consecrated king or deliverer. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, anointing with oil was a ritual act signifying divine appointment to a sacred office, such as that of a king or priest. Over time, within Christian theology, the title 'Christ' evolved from a descriptive term for a prophesied figure into a proper name and divine title for Jesus, encapsulating his identity as the promised savior.
Analysis
The word is a simplex loanword from Greek. It cannot be meaningfully segmented into smaller morphemes within its current English spelling.
Examples
The central belief of Christianity is that Jesus is the Christ.
The paintings depicted the birth of Christ.
In the creed, believers affirm their faith in Jesus Christ.