Meaning of "hagiography" in English

Hagiography refers to the writing of the lives of saints or venerated individuals. Traditionally used in a religious context, it involves detailed biographies that tend to glorify their subjects. Over time, the meaning has expanded to describe any biography that takes an overly reverential or uncritically positive stance towards its subject, often leading to a portrayal that neglects any negative aspects of the person's life. Essentially, hagiography can imply a lack of impartiality, presenting a glorified view that lacks critical analysis.

Meaning of "hagiographie" in French

In French, "hagiographie" is the art of documenting the lives of saints, reflecting a religious connection similar to the English term. It involves writing biographies with the intent of showcasing the virtues and miracles associated with holy figures, played out in a manner that venerates them. Beyond its religious background, "hagiographie" can also refer to any biography that excessively praises or glorifies its subject, losing objectivity in favor of admiration. This makes it synonymous with writings that might present an idealized or overly favorable description of individuals.

Pronunciation of "hagiography" in English

Phonetic Transcription: /ˌhæɡiˈɒɡrəfi/

Pronunciation Variations: In American English, there might be slight variations, with some saying /heɪˌɡiˈɑːɡrəfi/. Regional dialects may also influence how the word is pronounced, particularly the emphasis on syllables.

Pronunciation of "hagiographie" in French

Phonetic Transcription: /aɡjɔɡʁafi/

Pronunciation Variations: In French, pronunciation remains relatively consistent across regions. However, slight variations may occur in syllabic emphasis due to local accents, but it typically maintains its standard sound across Francophone regions.

Sentence examples in English and translation to French

  1. The hagiography depicted the saint's life with great reverence. (L'hagiographie a dépeint la vie du saint avec grande révérence.)
  2. Critics argue that the book is more a hagiography than a biography. (Les critiques soutiennent que le livre est plus une hagiographie qu'une biographie.)
  3. The author's hagiographic style was evident in his portrayal of historical figures. (Le style hagiographique de l'auteur était évident dans sa représentation des figures historiques.)
  4. His hagiography glossed over the more controversial aspects of his life. (Son hagiographie a passé sous silence les aspects les plus controversés de sa vie.)
  5. Many saints have fascinating hagiographies that inspire believers. (De nombreux saints ont des hagiographies fascinantes qui inspirent les croyants.)
  6. The film was criticized for being more of a hagiography of the politician. (Le film a été critiqué pour être plus une hagiographie du politicien.)
  7. Her hagiographic account of the leader overlooked his flaws. (Son récit hagiographique du chef a négligé ses défauts.)
  8. The biographer chose not to write a hagiography but a balanced account. (Le biographe a choisi de ne pas écrire une hagiographie mais un compte rendu équilibré.)
  9. Scholars studied the hagiographies to understand historical religious figures. (Les chercheurs ont étudié les hagiographies pour comprendre les figures religieuses historiques.)
  10. The library contained a vast collection of medieval hagiographies. (La bibliothèque contenait une vaste collection d'hagiographies médiévales.)

Synonyms, antonyms, and similar words for "hagiography" in English

Synonyms: saint's life, panegyric, eulogy, biography, tribute.

Antonyms: criticism, denunciation, condemnation, disapproval, critique.

Similar Words: biography, chronicle, memoir, narrative, account.

Synonyms, antonyms, and similar words for "hagiographie" in French

Synonyms: vie de saint, panégyrique, éloge, biographie.

Antonyms: critique, condamnation, dénonciation, désapprobation.

Similar Words: biographie, chronique, mémoire, récit, compte rendu.

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