[ad. mod.L. zōolatria, f. Gr. ζῴον animal + λατρεία worship.] The worship of animals. So Zoolater, one who practises zoolatry; Zoolatrous a., pertaining to, of the nature of, or practising zoolatry.
1817. G. S. Faber, Eight Diss. (1845), I. 285. That the gods of the Gentiles, however connected with Sabianism and Materialism and Zoölatry, were originally … deified mortals.
1858. Hardwick, Christ & Other Masters, IV. i. 56. Conspicuous at the head of the zoolatry of Egypt stands the worship of the great Memphitic bull, Apis.
1891. Cent. Dict., Zoolater … Zoolatrous.
1898. E. P. Evans, Evol. Ethics, i. 6. Vestiges of zoölatrous worship.
1907. Q. Rev., July, 200. They brought with them a concrete form of zoolatry in the cult of the buffalo.
