Definition of "euhemerize"

euhemerize

/juˌhiməˈraɪz/

verb
third-person singular simple present euhemerizes, present participle euhemerizing, simple past and past participle euhemerized
1. (transitive, intransitive, derogatory) To invent a plausible but fanciful historical origin for something in order to explain away mythology and legends.
  Quotations
  He did but extend to the New Testament the Euhemerising principles which Eichhorn had applied to the Old.
  1871, Frederic William Farrar, The Witness of History to Christ, page 57
  The legend of Semiramis was a euhemerised version of the story of Istar.
  1887 September 3, I. Taylor, The Academy, page 143
2. (transitive, intransitive) Synonym of deify: to actually create mythology and legends from ancient historical figures and events.