Agency Dictionary

Agape

nounPronunciation: /ˈæɡ.ə.pi/

In Portuguese: Ágape

What does “Agape” mean?

A selfless, unconditional, and altruistic form of love often associated in theology with divine charity.

Etymology

From Greek agápē, "love", related to the verb agapan, "to greet with affection, to love", whose further origin is uncertain. The noun is frequent in the Greek New Testament for the love of God and the love among Christians, and was rendered in Latin as caritas. English took the word first as the name of the communal meal of the early Christians, the love feast, and later as a term of theology and ethics for selfless love, set apart from eros and philia.

Usage note

Pronounced in three syllables, with the stress on the first or the second (AG-uh-pay or uh-GAH-pay). It is a term of theology and philosophy, not of everyday speech.

Synonyms

charity
selfless love
loving-kindness
benevolence

Often confused with

agape (adjective): The English adjective agape, pronounced uh-GAYP, means wide open (mouth agape) and is an unrelated native formation from gape.
eros: Eros is love as desire and attraction; agape is love given without expecting anything in return.

Usage examples

Agape is a selfless and unconditional love, often associated with divine love and charity.

Source editions

Where this entry comes from in the Agency editorial.

Issue.13 - AûsubApril 26, 2023Read the edition

Words of the same theme

Antithesisnoun: A person, thing, or concept that represents the direct or exact opposite of another.
Rebirthnoun: A new beginning after a period of decline or destruction, used in mythology to describe the cyclical return to life after death. In Archetype.0, rebirth is the defining characteristic of both the Bennu and the Phoenix.
Discursiveadjective: Proceeding by reasoned argument or sequential exposition rather than by immediate visual intuition.
Synchronicitynoun: The simultaneous occurrence of events that appear meaningfully related yet lack a direct causal connection.
Treatisenoun: A formal, systematic, and comprehensive written work dealing methodically with the principles and evidence of a particular philosophical, scientific, or technical subject.
Maximnoun: A concise statement expressing a fundamental principle, general truth, or practical rule of conduct.
Self-immolationnoun: The deliberate destruction of oneself, typically by fire. In Archetype.0, self-immolation is the voluntary act by which the phoenix builds a nest of fragrant spices and woods, ignites itself and is consumed by the flames.
Immortalitynoun: The quality of being immune to permanent death, living or enduring beyond a single lifespan. In Archetype.0, immortality is one of the five semiotic attributes of the Phoenix: the flames are not an end but a transition, an essential phase of its immortal existence.
rhetoricnoun: The art of effective and persuasive speaking or writing, especially through strategic linguistic devices.
Tangibleadjective: Perceptible by the sense of touch or capable of being physically grasped and measured in concrete physical reality. It distinguishes concrete material products from virtual or intellectual entities.
Holisticadjective: Characterized by the comprehension of parts as intimately interconnected and explicable only in reference to the whole.
Mjolnirnoun: In Norse mythology, the hammer of the god Thor, forged by dwarfs and known for its short handle. It is the weapon with which he defends gods and humans.

Also from these editions: terms

Androgynenoun: A mythical primordial being uniting male and female characteristics in a single unified body.
Aûsunoun: An Old Tupi noun denoting love, affection, friendship, or benevolent regard.
Aûsubverb: An Old Tupi transitive verb meaning to love, care for, or hold someone in deep esteem.
Benefactornoun: A person who supports, protects, or assists another individual through resources, rank, or mentorship.
Chivalrynoun: The medieval knightly code of conduct demanding honor, valor, courtesy, loyalty, and Christian devotion.
Erosnoun: A passionate, romantic, and often erotic love characterized by intense longing, attraction, and creative vitality.
Ludusnoun: A playful, flirtatious, and lighthearted form of love free from long-term obligations or solemnity.
Philianoun: A deep, reciprocal, and virtuous affection among friends or equals based on shared values and mutual loyalty.
Potionnoun: A liquid concoction endowed with purported medicinal, magical, toxic, or transformative powers.
Pragmanoun: A practical, enduring, and mature love built on long-term commitment, shared duties, and realistic expectations.
Storgenoun: Natural familial affection, especially the instinctive bond shared among parents, children, and siblings.