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n. pl. ser·a·phim (-ə-fĭm) or ser·aphs 1. Bible A celestial being having three pairs of wings. 2. seraphim Christianity The first of the nine orders of angels in medieval angelology. [Back-formation from pl. seraphim, from Middle English seraphin, from Old English, from Late Latin seraphīn, seraphīm, from Greek serapheim, from Hebrew śərāpîm, pl. of śārāp, fiery serpent, seraph, from śārap, to burn; see śrp1 in the Appendix of Semitic roots.] se·raphic (sə-răfĭk), se·raphi·cal (-ĭ-kəl) adj. se·raphi·cal·ly adv. |
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