gos|pel

gos|pel «GOS puhl», noun, adjective, verb, -peled, -pel|ling or (especially British) -pelled, -pel|ling.

–n.

1. a) the teaching of Jesus and the Apostles: »

The old minister had preached the gospel for 40 years.

b) glad tidings, especially concerning the coming of the promised Messiah in the person of Christ, of salvation through the Atonement, and of the kingdom of God.

2. anything earnestly believed or taken as a guide for action: »

Drink plenty of water; that is my gospel. The law of the land is his gospel (Sir Richard Steele). Christianity has given the world the moral gospel; now France must preach the social gospel (Edmund Wilson).

3. Figurative. the absolute truth: »

She takes the doctor's words for gospel.

4. = gospel music. (Cf. ↑gospel music)

–adj.

1. of or like the gospel.

2. in agreement with the gospel; evangelical.

3. characterized by evangelical fervor; spreading the gospel: »

gospel music, gospel hymns.

4. of or having to do with gospel music or gospel songs: »

a gospel singer, gospel shouts.

–v.t., v.i.

to evangelize.

╂[Old English gōdspell good tidings < gōd good + spel spell², a translation of Latin bona adnūntiātiō, a translation of Greek evangélion evangel]

Gos|pel «GOS puhl», noun.

1. the story of Christ's life and teachings.

2. a) any one of the first four books of the New Testament by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. They tell about the life and teachings of Christ. b) a part of one of these books read during a religious service.