CHERUB

cherub

(noun) an angel of the second order whose gift is knowledge; usually portrayed as a winged child

cherub

(noun) a sweet innocent baby

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

cherub (plural cherubs or cherubim or cherubims)

(biblical) A winged creature attending on God, described by Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite (5th–6th century) as the second highest order of angels, ranked above thrones and below seraphim; similar to a lamassu in the pre-exilic texts of the Hebrew Bible, more humanoid in later texts.

An artistic depiction of such a being, typically in the form of a winged child or a child's head with wings but no body.

Synonyms: amoretto, cupid, putto

(figuratively) A person, especially a child, seen as being particularly angelic or innocent.

Synonyms: angel, innocent

Anagrams

• Bucher

Source: Wiktionary

Cher"ub, n.; pl. Cherubs; but the Hebrew plural Cherubim is also used. Etym: [Heb. kerub.]

1. A mysterious composite being, the winged footstool and chariot of the Almighty, described in Ezekiel i. and x. I knew that they were the cherubim. Ezek. x. 20. He rode upon a cherub and did fly. Ps. xviii. 10.

2. A symbolical winged figure of unknown form used in connection with the mercy seat of the Jewish Ark and Temple. Ez. xxv. 18.

3. One of a order of angels, variously represented in art. In European painting the cherubim have been shown as blue, to denote knowledge, as distinguished from the seraphim (see Seraph), and in later art the children's heads with wings are generally called cherubs.

4. A beautiful child; -- so called because artists have represented cherubs as beautiful children.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition