messianic
UK[ˌmes.iˈæn.ɪk]US[ˌmes.iˈæn.ɪk]
adj
relating to or characteristic of a messiah, especially the Messiah in Christian, Jewish, or Islamic belief
adj
showing passionate belief in a cause or person, as if they were a savior
Morpheme Breakdown
messiah
ic
messiah
anointed savior
ic
adjective-forming suffix
Etymology
the word 'messianic' is built upon the noun 'messiah', which entered english via latin and greek from the hebrew 'māšîaḥ', meaning 'anointed one'. in ancient judaic tradition, this term referred to a king or high priest consecrated with holy oil, evolving to denote a promised deliverer. the adjectival suffix '-ic', of latin and greek origin, is used to form adjectives meaning 'pertaining to'. thus, 'messianic' literally means 'pertaining to a messiah', a concept which broadened from specific religious prophecy to describe any fervent, savior-like devotion to a person or ideology.
Analysis
Structure: messiah (anointed savior) + ic (adjective-forming suffix)
messiah (from hebrew מָשִׁיחַ (māšîaḥ) via greek and latin, meaning 'anointed one'); ic (from latin -icus, greek -ikos, forming adjectives meaning 'of, pertaining to').
Examples
the preacher delivered a sermon filled with messianic fervor.
his followers viewed him with a messianic zeal that was both inspiring and unsettling.
the political movement took on a distinctly messianic tone, promising to deliver the people from all their troubles.