/ məˈsaɪə; NAmE / noun
1.
the Messiah [ sing. ] ( in Christianity ) Jesus Christ who was sent by God into the world to save people from evil and sin
2.
the Messiah [ sing. ] ( in Judaism ) a king who will be sent by God to save the Jewish people
3.
messiah a leader who people believe will solve the problems of a country or the world
SYN saviour :
He's seen by many as a political messiah.
For more information see the Cultural Guide
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WORD ORIGIN
Old English Messias : via late Latin and Greek from Hebrew māšīaḥ anointed.