CHERUB

noun a beautiful child;

— so called because artists have represented cherubs as beautiful children.

2. cherub ·noun a mysterious composite being, the winged footstool and chariot of the almighty, described in ezekiel i. and x.

3. cherub ·noun a symbolical winged figure of unknown form used in connection with the mercy seat of the jewish ark and temple.

4. cherub ·noun one of a order of angels, variously represented in art. in european painting the cherubim have been shown as blue, to denote knowledge, as distinguished from the seraphim (see seraph), and in later art the children's heads with wings are generally called cherubs.