online medical dictionary | definition of adoration

1. The act of playing honor to a divine being; the worship paid to God; the act of addressing as a god. "The more immediate objects of popular adoration amongst the heathens were deified human beings." (Farmer)

2. Homage paid to one in high esteem; profound veneration; intense regard and love; fervent devotion.

3. A method of electing a pope by the expression of homage from two thirds of the conclave. "[Pole] might have been chosen on the spot by adoration." (Froude)

Origin: L. Adoratio, fr. Adorare: cf. F. Adoration.

(01 Mar 1998)