eidolon
See also: eidôlon
English
Alternative forms
Etymology
From Ancient Greek εἴδωλον (eídōlon, “figure, representation”), from εἶδος (eîdos, “sight”), from εἴδω (eídō, “I see”). Doublet of idol.
Pronunciation
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 307: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "UK" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /aɪˈdəʊlən/
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 307: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "US" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /aɪˈdoʊlɑn/
Audio (US): (file)
Noun
eidolon (plural eidola or eidolons)
- An image or representation of an idea; a representation of an ideal form; an apparition of some actual or imaginary entity, or of some aspect of reality.
- 1936, Henry Miller, Black Spring:
- As a species it is extinct; as an eidolon it retains its corporeality – but only if maintained in a state of equipoise.
- 1974, Lawrence Durrell, Monsieur, Faber & Faber 1992, p. 21:
- It was not hard to forge her image, her "eidolon", in the grey gloom of the little church.
- 2006, Thomas Pynchon, Against the Day, Vintage 2007, p. 697:
- Kit was sitting up staring into the dark at this eidolon, inelegantly turned out contrary to a whole raft of public-decency statutes, which had come monitory and breathing in to violate Kit's insomnia.
- A phantom, a ghost or elusive entity.
- 1837 Thomas Carlyle, The French Revolution: A History
- Was Philippe d'Orleans seen, this day, 'in the Bois de Boulogne, in grey surtout;' waiting under the wet sere foliage, what the day might bring forth? Alas, yes, the Eidolon of him was,—in Weber's and other such brains.
- 1837 Thomas Carlyle, The French Revolution: A History
Translations
a representation of an ideal form
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