gospel
UK[ˈɡɒsp(ə)l]US[ˈɡɑːsp(ə)l]
n
The teachings of Jesus Christ as recorded in the first four books of the New Testament.
n
A set of ideas or principles that someone believes in and tries to persuade others to accept.
n
A style of black American religious music.
Morpheme Breakdown
god
spel
god
good
spel
news, story
Etymology
The word 'gospel' originates from the Old English term 'gōdspel', a compound of 'gōd' (good) and 'spel' (news, story). This was a direct translation of the Late Latin 'bona annuntiatio' and the Greek 'euangelion', which itself means "good news". The Greek components are 'eu-' (good) and 'angelion' (message, announcement). Over time, the term became specifically associated with the message of Jesus Christ, and its spelling contracted from 'gōdspel' to 'gospel'. The modern abstract meanings—referring to any set of unquestioned truths or a musical genre—derive from this core religious concept of authoritative good news.
Analysis
Structure: god + spel
god (Old English, meaning "good") + spel (Old English, meaning "news, story")
Examples
The sermon focused on a passage from the Gospel of Matthew.
He preached the gospel of hard work and self-reliance.
She is a famous gospel singer with a powerful voice.