postmillennial
|post-mil-len-ni-al|
🇺🇸
/ˌpoʊstˌmɪˈlɛn.i.əl/
🇬🇧
/ˌpəʊstˌmɪˈlɛn.i.əl/
after the thousand-year age
Etymology
'postmillennial' originates from Latin elements and English compounding: the prefix 'post-' from Latin 'post' meaning 'after' combined with 'millennial', from Late Latin 'millennium' (from Latin 'mille' meaning 'thousand' + 'annus' meaning 'year').
'postmillennial' was formed in English by combining the Latin-derived prefix 'post-' with 'millennial' (itself from Late Latin 'millennium'). The adjective developed in theological English in the 18th–19th centuries to describe the doctrine associated with the anticipated 'millennium'.
Initially a literal compound meaning 'after the millennium', it came to be used specifically for the theological doctrine and those who hold it—that Christ's return will follow a prolonged, positive millennial age.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person who holds postmillennial beliefs; someone who expects a coming golden age (the millennium) before Christ's return.
A postmillennial argued that moral and social progress would prepare the world for the millennium.
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Adjective 1
relating to or supporting postmillennialism: the theological view that Christ's second coming will occur after a long 'millennial' golden age brought about by the Church or human progress.
The historian described the movement's postmillennial hopes for social reform and eventual Christian triumph.
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Last updated: 2025/10/03 22:46