eidolon

noun

ei·​do·​lon ī-ˈdō-lən How to pronounce eidolon (audio)
plural eidolons ī-ˈdō-lənz How to pronounce eidolon (audio) or eidola ī-ˈdō-lə How to pronounce eidolon (audio)
1
: an unsubstantial image : phantom
2
: ideal

Examples of eidolon in a Sentence

an industrialist who remains an eidolon of the visionary and ambitious self-made man
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
To enlist Helen, rather than the more popular The Trojan Women, for an antiwar theme makes sense especially in the wake of the conflict in Iraq: Helen posits that a decade-long war was fought and a civilization destroyed over a mirage, an eidolon. Lidija Haas, Harper's Magazine, 27 Apr. 2020

Word History

Etymology

Greek eidōlon — more at idol

First Known Use

1763, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of eidolon was in 1763

Dictionary Entries Near eidolon

Cite this Entry

“Eidolon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eidolon. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.

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