Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition

Idol

I′dol

,
Noun.
[OE.
idole
, F.
idole
, L.
idolum
, fr. Gr. [GREEK], fr. [GREEK] that which is seen, the form, shape, figure, fr. [GREEK] to see. See
Wit
, and cf.
Eidolon
.]
1.
An image or representation of anything.
[Obs.]
Do her adore with sacred reverence,
As th’
idol
of her maker's great magnificence.
Spenser.
2.
An image of a divinity; a representation or symbol of a deity or any other being or thing, made or used as an object of worship; a similitude of a false god.
That they should not worship devils, and
idols
of gold.
Rev. ix. 20.
3.
That on which the affections are strongly (often excessively) set; an object of passionate devotion; a person or thing greatly loved or adored.
The soldier's god and people's
idol
.
Denham.
4.
A false notion or conception; a fallacy.
Bacon.
The
idols
of preconceived opinion.
Coleridge.

Webster 1828 Edition

Idol

I'DOL

,
Noun.
[L. idolum; Gr. form or to see.]
1.
An image, form or representation, usually of a man or other animal, consecrated as an object of worship; a pagan deity. Idols are usually statues or images, carved out of wood or stone, or formed of metals, particularly silver or gold.
The gods of the nations are idols. Ps.96.
2.
An image.
Nor ever idol seemed so much alive.
3.
A person loved and honored to adoration. The prince was the idol of the people.
4.
Any thing on which we set our affections; that to which we indulge an excessive and sinful attachment.
Little children, keep yourselves from idols. 1 John.5.
An idol is any thing which usurps the place of God in the hearts of his rational creatures.
5.
A representation. [Not in use.]

Definition 2024

Idol

Idol

See also: idol and ídol

German

Noun

Idol n ‎(genitive Idols, plural Idole)

  1. idol

Declension

idol

idol

See also: Idol and ídol

English

Noun

idol ‎(plural idols)

  1. A graven image or representation of anything that is revered, or believed to convey spiritual power.
    • 1898, Winston Churchill, chapter 2, in The Celebrity:
      Sunning himself on the board steps, I saw for the first time Mr. Farquhar Fenelon Cooke. He was dressed out in broad gaiters and bright tweeds, like an English tourist, and his face might have belonged to Dagon, idol of the Philistines.
    • 1911 The Green Eye of the Little Yellow God, J. Milton Hayes:
      There's a one-eyed yellow idol to the north of Kathmandu, There's a little marble cross below the town; There's a broken-hearted woman tends the grave of Mad Carew, And the Yellow God forever gazes down.
  2. A cultural icon, or especially popular person.

Descendants

Derived terms

Translations

Anagrams

Danish

Noun

idol n (singular definite idolet, plural indefinite idoler)

  1. idol

Inflection

Polish

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈi.dɔl/

Noun

idol m pers

  1. idol (cultural icon)

Declension

Romanian

Etymology

From Greek είδωλο ‎(eídolo), partially through the intermediate of Slavic, Old Church Slavonic idolŭ. Compare Aromanian idul, Serbo-Croatian idol.

Noun

idol m ‎(plural idoli)

  1. idol
  2. pagan divinity
  3. (popular) demon

Synonyms

Related terms

Serbo-Croatian

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ǐdoːl/
  • Hyphenation: i‧dol

Noun

ìdōl m ‎(Cyrillic spelling ѝдо̄л)

  1. idol

Declension

Etymology

From Old French idole, from Latin idolum, from Ancient Greek εἴδωλον ‎(eídōlon, “image, idol”), from εἶδος ‎(eîdos, “form”).

Pronunciation

  • enPR: īʹd(ə)l, IPA(key): /ˈaɪd(ə)l/
  • Rhymes: -aɪdəl
  • Homphones: idle, idyl(l) (US pronunciation)

Similar Results