euhemerize

Meaning

1. verb To invent a plausible but fanciful historical origin for something in order to rationalize mythology and legends.

   Confucian scholars frequently euhemerized the myths used to explain religious rituals to the public.

2. verb To create mythology and legends from ancient historical figures and events.

   The Yellow Emperor was perhaps euhemerized from a prehistoric tribal leader.

Similar words

mythicize mythicise mythologize mythify mythologise folk-etymologize fabulise mythize remythologize fabulize