New GRE Word List 5

Religious practices, theories and doctrines

Ablution: ritual bathing of body or washing of an object
Absolution : forgiveness for sins
Agnosticism : belief that God’s existence is unknowable
Amen : solemn ramification of faith at the end of prayers
Anathema: curse
Animism : belief that natural objects and phenomena have souls
Apotheosis : deification
Benediction: blessing
Benison : blessing
Blasphemy : intentional offence to God, sacrilege
Canon : religious code/doctrine
Celibacy : abstention from marriage
Consecration : dedication of person or object to sacred use
Ecclesiastical : relating to church as formal and established institution
Exegesis : analysis and interpretation of scriptures
Expiation : atonement of one’s sins
Hagiography : literature or biography dealing with the lives of saints
Henotheism : allegiance to one God while allowing worship of several other Gods
Heresy : unorthodox or dissenting religious beliefs
Hermeneutics : science of theological interpretation
Hosanna : cry of love for God
Hymn : sacred song in praise of God
Invocation: act of calling upon deity usually in prayer
Liturgy : rites of religious worship
Nescience : agnosticism
Oblation : offering to God ( bread and wine)
Orthopraxy : correct religious behavior and rituals
Pantheism : belief that God is manifested by and through the Universe
Proselytize : attempt to convert others to one’s belief or religion
Redemption : salvation and deliverance from evil
Retreat : period of seclusion for religious exercises and meditation
Sacrilege : act or statement that degrades the sacred
Supplication : earnest prayer of petition
Syncretism : attempted reconciliation of elements from two or more religions to create a new religion
Unction : Anointing with oil as consecration
Unfrock : Deprive priest of right to exercise office