golem

[ goh-luh m, -lem ]

/ ˈgoʊ ləm, -lɛm /

Jewish Folklore. a figure artificially constructed in the form of a human being and endowed with life.

a stupid and clumsy person; blockhead.

an automaton.

Origin of golem

1895–1900; (< Yiddish goylem) < Hebrew gōlem embryo, larva, cocoon

Over the next decade, the Golem appeared in at least one poem, an opera, and a German film.

Superman Is Jewish: The Hebrew Roots of America's Greatest Superhero |Rich Goldstein |August 16, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Due to rising global anti-Semitism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Golem had resurfaced in popular Jewish culture.

Superman Is Jewish: The Hebrew Roots of America's Greatest Superhero |Rich Goldstein |August 16, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
The golem standing before him was small, and its eyes glowed red.

Someone Comes to Town, Someone Leaves Town |Cory Doctorow
"I knew you were a man as soon as I saw you talking to the golem," said the red-head.

It Could Be Anything |John Keith Laumer

The golem had dragged itself into this corner and had fallen to mud.

Someone Comes to Town, Someone Leaves Town |Cory Doctorow
His chest was heaving from his tantrum, but the presence of the golem calmed him.

Someone Comes to Town, Someone Leaves Town |Cory Doctorow
"Perhaps I'd better call the headwaiter, sir," the golem said stiffly.

It Could Be Anything |John Keith Laumer

golem

/ (ˈɡəʊlɛm) /

(in Jewish legend) an artificially created human being brought to life by supernatural means

from Yiddish goylem, from Hebrew gōlem formless thing