< Gr ophis, a snake (< IE *ogiohi-, akin to base *ehi-, snake > Arm iž, viper) + -latry
ophiolatry in American English
(ˌɑfiˈɑlətri, ˌoufi-)
noun
the worship of snakes
Derived forms
ophiolater
noun
ophiolatrous
adjective
Word origin
[1860–65; ‹ Gk óphi(s) snake + (id)olatry]This word is first recorded in the period 1860–65. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: calibrate, monism, mutualism, raider, trade name