a. [f. CHERUB + -IC; cf. F. chérubique.] Of, pertaining to, or resembling, a cherub or cherubs; angelic.
Cherubic doctor: a title given to Thomas Aquinas. Cherubic friar: a Dominican. Cherubic form in art: a representation of the four faces of the ‘living creatures’ in Ezekiel’s vision. Cherubic symbols: representations of the four ‘living creatures’ of Ezekiel and the Apocalypse as symbols of the four evangelists. Cherubic hymn: a hymn occurring in the chief eastern liturgies, beginning with ‘(We) who mystically represent the cherubim.’
c. 1630. Milton, At a Solemn Music, 12. The Cherubick Host in thousand quires Touch their immortal Harps. Ibid. (1667), P. L., V. 547. Cherubic Songs by night from neighbouring Hills.
1667. H. More, Div. Dial., III. xxiii. (1713), 229. The Cherubick or Angelick Body.
1709. Kennet, Erasmus On Folly, 121. They shall cite their doctors invincible, subtle, seraphick, cherubick, holy, irrefragable.
1826. Southey, Lett. to Butler, 514. The Seraphic and Cherubic friars.
1866. N. & Q., 3rd Ser. IX. 468/1. Plates of the Four Evangelists with the cherubic symbols.
1871. Macduff, Mem. Patmos, v. 62. A fairer Eden … where no cherubic sword guards the way.
1875. E. White, Life in Christ, III. xx. (1878), 265. The sapphire floor of the Cherubic Car.
1875. W. Smith & Cheetham, Dict. Chr. Antiq., I. 89/1. Cherubic representations of the four ‘Living Creatures.’ Ibid., I. 634/1. A very interesting tetramorph or cherubic form bearing the evangelic symbols. Ibid., I. 801/1. While it is being sung, the priest says secretly a prayer called ‘the prayer of the cherubic hymn.’
b. Like a cherub represented as a child-angel; having a childish innocent face.
1860. Reade, Cloister & H., IV. 323. The innocent distress on the cherubic face.
2. as sb. = Cherubic friar, Dominican.
1826. Southey, Lett. to Butler, 516. A host of shaven and shorn Cherubics have followed him.
