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antilegomena: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

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UK/ˌantɪlɛˈɡɒmɪnə/US/ˌæntilɛˈɡɑːmənə/

Academic, Technical (Theology, Literary Criticism)

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Quick answer

What does “antilegomena” mean?

Writings or statements whose authenticity or canonicity is disputed.

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Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

Writings or statements whose authenticity or canonicity is disputed.

In early Christian history, a term for books of the New Testament whose place in the biblical canon was initially questioned or disputed by some authorities. By extension, any literary or scholarly works whose acceptance or authority is contested.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant differences in meaning or usage.

Connotations

Identical theological/historical connotations in both varieties.

Frequency

Extremely rare in both varieties, confined to specialised theological or historical texts.

Grammar

How to Use “antilegomena” in a Sentence

The + antilegomena (subject) + were + past participle (e.g., 'were disputed')Antilegomena (object) + of + the New Testament

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
BiblicalNew Testamentdisputedcanonicalthe
medium
status of thedebate over thebooks of the
weak
earlyChristianancienttexts

Examples

Examples of “antilegomena” in a Sentence

adjective

British English

  • The antilegomena books were gradually accepted.
  • He specialised in antilegomena studies.

American English

  • The antilegomena texts were eventually included.
  • Her research focused on antilegomena literature.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Not applicable.

Academic

Used in theological, historical, and literary studies to discuss canon formation or contested authoritative texts.

Everyday

Never used.

Technical

Primary context is biblical scholarship and church history.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “antilegomena”

Strong

deutero-canonical books

Neutral

disputed writingscontested texts

Weak

questionable worksdebated texts

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “antilegomena”

homologoumenacanonical textsaccepted writings

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “antilegomena”

  • Using it as a singular noun (incorrect: 'an antilegomena'; correct: 'the antilegomena' or 'a text among the antilegomena').
  • Mispronouncing the 'g' as hard /g/; it is soft /dʒ/.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

It is a plural noun (from Greek). The singular 'antilegomenon' is theoretically possible but almost never used.

Very rarely. It might be used analogically in literary criticism to describe works with contested status in a canon, but this is highly specialised.

The opposite term is 'homologoumena,' referring to writings universally accepted as canonical.

Pronounce the 'g' as a soft /dʒ/ sound (like the 'g' in 'gem'), not a hard /g/.

Writings or statements whose authenticity or canonicity is disputed.

Antilegomena is usually academic, technical (theology, literary criticism) in register.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

ANTI (against) + LEGO (I say, speak) + MENA (things) → "things spoken against."

Conceptual Metaphor

A text is a member of a community (its canonicity is like social acceptance).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
In early church history, books like James and Revelation were considered part of the because their authenticity was questioned by some.
Multiple Choice

What is the primary field of study where 'antilegomena' is used?

antilegomena: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples | Lingvocore