moloch

The chief god of the Phenicians, frequently mentioned in Scripture as the god of the Ammonites, whose worship consisted chiefly of human sacrifices, ordeals by fire, mutilation, etc.: also identified with the god of the Carthaginians called by classical writers Kronos or Saturn.

[NL.] The typical genus of Molochinæ.

[lowercase] A lizard of this genus: as, the spiny moloch.

The fire god of the Ammonites in Canaan, to whom human sacrifices were offered; Molech. Also applied figuratively.

A spiny Australian lizard (Moloch horridus). The horns on the head and numerous spines on the body give it a most formidable appearance.

Moloch horridus, an Australian lizard thought to be the sole member of the genus Moloch.

any lizard of the genus Moloch

a tyrannical power to be propitiated by human subservience or sacrifice

god of the Canaanites and Phoenicians to whom parents sacrificed their children