I. mə̇ˈthäləjē, -ji noun
( -es )
Etymology: French or Late Latin; French mythologie, from Late Latin mythologia interpretation of myths, from Greek, legend, myth, storytelling, from mythologein to narrate mythical tales (from mythos myth + -logein, from logos word, speech, account) + -ia -y — more at myth , legend
1. obsolete : the symbolical significance of something (as a name or a fable)
2.
a. : an allegorical narrative : myth , parable
b. : a body of myths: as
(1) : the myths dealing with the gods, demigods, and legendary heroes of a particular people in stories that involve supernatural elements
the mythology of ancient Greece
(2) : a body of myths arising from a situation (as an activity or a historical event) or more or less consciously propagated by an agency (as a group or political party)
the mythology that emerged out of World War II
the mythology of Fascism
3.
a. : a branch of knowledge that deals with myth
b. : a treatise on myths
II. noun
: a popular belief or assumption that has grown up around someone or something
defective mythologies that ignore masculine depth of feeling — Robert Bly