idol Hear it!

idol definition

idol (īd'l)

noun

  1. an image of a god, used as an object or instrument of worship
  2. in monotheistic belief, any heathen deity
  3. any object of ardent or excessive devotion or admiration
  4. a false notion or idea that causes errors in thinking or reasoning
  5. Archaic anything that has no substance but can be seen, as an image in a mirror
  6. Obsolete
    1. any image or effigy
    2. an impostor

Etymology: ME idole < OFr < L idolum, an image, form, specter, apparition (in LL(Ec), idol) < Gr eidōlon, an image, phantom (in LGr(Ec), idol) < eidos, form: see -oid

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Comments
Improve this definition.
Do you have more to add? Share your linguistic knowledge or observation.
/Register to save your comments.