repr. Gr. ταυρο-, combining form of ταῦρος (= L. taurus) bull, occurring in a few words derived from Greek and modern chemical terms, and in rare nonce-formations. Taurolatry [-LATRY], worship of a bull (in quot. 1901 with allusion to ‘John Bull’). Tauromorphous a. [Gr. ταυρόμορφος, f. μορφή form], having the form of a bull. Tauro-serpentine a., relating to a bull and a serpent. See also below.
1901. Speaker, 8 June, 278/2. Is not *Taurolatry the religion of Englishmen?
1923. H. M. Wiener, Prophets of Israel, ii. 21. Centres of pilgrimage with bulls for worship were established in Bethel and Dan as substitutes for the temple of Jerusalem with its imageless worship. The northern throne rested on taurolatry.
1828. A. Herbert, Nimrod, III. 366. The judgment upon Nebuchadnezzar, (whose dwelling was with the beasts of the field, and who ate grass as oxen, until seven times had passed over him,) was selected in derision of his *tauromorphous anti-theism.
1891. Cent. Dict., Tauromorphous.
1855. Bailey, Mystic, 58.
| (As told in mysteries *tauro-serpentine,) | |
| Good begets evil, evil brings forth good | |
| In blest regeneration. |
