leviathan
UK[lɪˈvaɪ.ə.θən]US[lɪˈvaɪ.ə.θən]
n
a very large and powerful sea monster mentioned in the bible.
n
something that is very large and powerful, especially a large organization or a difficult problem.
Etymology
the word leviathan is a direct loanword from late latin, which borrowed it from the hebrew 'liwyāṯān', likely meaning "coiled one" or "twisted one." in the hebrew bible, it denotes a primordial sea serpent or monster, a symbol of chaos. this specific, formidable creature from ancient mythology provided a powerful metaphor, allowing the term to evolve in modern english to signify any entity of immense size and daunting power, whether a corporation, a bureaucracy, or a challenge.
Analysis
n/a
Examples
the corporate merger created a leviathan that dominated the entire industry.
in the book of job, god describes his power over the mighty leviathan.
tackling climate change is a political leviathan that requires global cooperation.