ˈmith noun
( -s )
Etymology: Greek mythos tale, speech, myth; perhaps akin to Gothic maudjan to remind, Old Irish smuainim I think, Old Slavic myslĭ thought, Lithuanian maũsti to desire ardently
1. : a story that is usually of unknown origin and at least partially traditional, that ostensibly relates historical events usually of such character as to serve to explain some practice, belief, institution, or natural phenomenon, and that is especially associated with religious rites and beliefs — compare euhemerism , fable , folktale
2.
a. : a story invented as a veiled explanation of a truth : parable , allegory ; especially : one of Plato's philosophical allegories
b. : the theme or plot of a mythical tale occurring in forms differing only in detail
3. : a person or thing existing only in imagination or whose actuality is not verifiable: as
a. : a belief given uncritical acceptance by the members of a group especially in support of existing or traditional practices and institutions
a myth of racial superiority used to justify discrimination
b. : a belief or concept that embodies a visionary ideal (as of some future utopian state or condition)
the Marxian-fostered myth of a classless society
4. : mythical matter : the whole body of myths
features distinguishing modern fiction from myth
Synonyms:
legend , saga : myth varies considerably in its denotation and connotation depending on the persuasion of the user. Often the word is used to designate a story, usually fanciful and imaginative, that explains a natural phenomenon or a social practice, institution, or belief
the old myth, imported hazily from the East, which represented the cat-moon devouring the gray mice of twilight — Agnes Repplier
It is also used to designate a story, belief, or notion commonly held to be true but utterly without factual basis
the doubts that women have about themselves are man-made, and most women are so enslaved to the myths of their own inferiority they are unable to see the truth for the myth — M.F.A.Montagu
The word may be used with wide comprehensiveness in general writing or with narrow exclusiveness and specificity in more limited use
myths may be subdivided into such classifications as origin myths, ritual myths, incidents involving the lives of the gods, stories of culture heroes, trickster tales, journeys to the other world, human and animal marriages, adaptations of old world myths, and retellings of biblical stories — L.J.Davidson
myths are said to be expressions or objectifications of “collective wishes” which are personified in the “leader” who is endowed by a given society with powers of social magic to fulfill the collective wishes — A.L.Kroeber
legend is likewise used with latitude: it is likely to indicate a story, incident, or notion often fanciful, fabulous, or incredible, attached to a particular person or place
the medieval legends of the saints
the wrecking of the Palatine which, according to legend, did not sink but rose flaming into the sky — Fred Zimmer
the violent deaths of several slaves quartered in them gave rise to a legend that this part of the house is haunted — American Guide Series: Maryland
saga may refer to a long, continued, heroic story that is action-packed but not especially romantic, that deals with a person or group, and that is historical or legendary or both
the Saga of Burnt Njal
the building of the railroad in the Northwest was one of the great sagas of man's enterprise — Meridel Le Sueur
Synonym: see in addition allegory .