goliath
UK[ɡəˈlaɪəθ]US[ɡəˈlaɪəθ]
n
A person or thing of enormous size, strength, or power.
n
A very large or powerful person or organization.
Etymology
The word 'goliath' originates directly from the Hebrew name 'Golyāṯ' (גָּלְיָת), famously borne by the giant Philistine warrior defeated by David in the Biblical narrative. It entered the English lexicon through its transmission in Greek ('Golias') and Latin ('Goliath') translations of the Bible. The literal meaning of the original Hebrew name is uncertain but is not semantically active in its modern English usage. Over time, the specific personal name evolved by metaphorical extension into a common noun denoting any person or entity of colossal size, strength, or dominant power, abstracting the defining characteristic of its Biblical namesake.
Analysis
This is a loanword adopted as a simplex unit from Hebrew, via Greek and Latin transmission. It is a proper name used as a common noun.
Examples
The new tech startup challenged the industry goliath with its innovative approach.
They faced the goliath task of rebuilding the entire infrastructure after the disaster.
In the world of retail, that corporation is a true goliath.