/ ˈtʃerəb; NAmE / noun
1.
( pl. cher·ubs or cher·ubim / -bɪm; NAmE /) ( in art ) a type of angel , shown as a small fat, usually male, child with wings
—compare seraph
2.
( pl. cher·ubs ) ( informal ) a pretty child; a child who behaves well
► cher·ub·ic / tʃəˈruːbɪk; NAmE / adjective ( formal ):
a cherubic face (= looking round and innocent, like a small child's)
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WORD ORIGIN
Old English cherubin , ultimately (via Latin and Greek ) from Hebrew kěrūḇ , plural kěrūḇīm . A rabbinic folk etymology, which explains the Hebrew singular form as representing Aramaic kě-raḇyā like a child, led to the representation of the cherub as a child.