angel

I

(New American Roget's College Thesaurus)

I

n. patron, backer, sponsor, meal ticket (inf.), sugar daddy (inf.). See angel, means, endearment.

II

Attendant of God

Nouns

1. (heavenly being) angel, archangel; celestial being, invisible choir, heavenly host; seraph (pl. seraphim), cherub (pl. cherubim); ministering spirit, guardian angel. See heaven, goodness, piety.

2. Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Zadkiel, Machiel, Abdiel, Chamuel; Azrael, angel of death; Madonna.

3. (study of angels) angelology; seraphim, cherubim, thrones, dominations or dominions, virtues, powers, principalities, archangels, angels.

Verbs — receive one's wings, join the heavenly host.

Adjectives — angelic, seraphic, cherubic, celestial.

Quotations — A wingèd messenger of heaven (Shakespeare), How many angels can dance on the head of a pin? (Anon.).

Antonyms, See demon.

II

(Roget's IV) n.

1. [A heavenly messenger]

Syn. seraph, supernatural being, God's messenger, Angel of Death, good angel, dark angel, archangel, guardian angel, spirit, sprite, cherub, ministering spirit, celestial spirit, winged being, glorified spirit, attendant of God, invisible helper, heavenly spirit, saint, host of heaven.

Ant. devil*, demon, fiend.

2. [*A financial supporter]

Syn. benefactor, supporter, backer of theatrical performances; see patron 1 , sponsor .

See Synonym Study at sponsor .

III

(Roget's 3 Superthesaurus) n.

1. heavenly being cherub, guardian angel, spirit, archangel, seraph, divine messenger, fallen angel, spiritual being, immortal; Gabriel, Raphael. ''The dispensers and administrators of the Divine beneficence toward us. . . .''—John Calvin.

2. wonderful person sweetheart, saint, dear, darling, honey, doll.

3. financier backer, supporter, *sugar daddy, underwriter, *meal ticket, benefactor, patron.

ANT.: 1. devil, demon. 2. jerk, devil, bastard

IV

(Roget's Thesaurus II) noun 1. A pure, uncorrupted person: innocent, lamb, virgin. See CLEAN, RIGHT. 2. Informal. One who assumes financial responsibility for another: backer, guarantor, guaranty, sponsor, surety, underwriter. See LAW, SUPPORT. 3. Informal. A person who supports or champions an activity, cause, or institution, for example: backer, benefactor, contributor, friend, patron, sponsor, supporter. See HELP.