rhizoverbBeta
DictionarygolemArtificial humanlike being
noun

golem

GOH-lum/ˈɡəʊləm/

An artificial humanlike being brought to life by magic.

The clay golem lifts a foot as it comes to life.

A human-shaped clay golem awakens, lifting one heavy foot from a low earthen base and opening its roughly sculpted hand.
Etymology
golemHebrewshapeless mass, embryo

Hebrew golem meant a shapeless mass or embryo. That image of something not yet fully formed underlies the name for the artificial human animated in Jewish folklore.

In context

Richard McElreath4:42
a golem which is a mythological clay robot that would defend the people
Statistical Rethinking 2022 Lecture 01 - Golem of Prague

More examples

  • The magician brought the golem to life.
  • A silent golem guarded the doorway in the tale.
  • The novel reimagines the legend of the golem.

Forms

golem · golems

Similar words

automaton
An automaton moves mechanically; a golem is brought to life through magic in folklore.
construct
Construct is a broad fantasy term for an artificial being; golem has a particular folkloric history.