Eidolon
/aɪˈdoʊlən/ noun
noun ·Moderate ·College level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 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.
"As a species it is extinct; as an eidolon it retains its corporeality – but only if maintained in a state of equipoise."
- 2 A phantom; a ghost or an elusive entity.
"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."
- 3 An unsubstantial image; a spectre; a phantom.
Example
More examples"As a species it is extinct; as an eidolon it retains its corporeality – but only if maintained in a state of equipoise."
Etymology
From Ancient Greek εἴδωλον (eídōlon, “figure, representation”), from εἶδος (eîdos, “sight”), from εἴδω (eídō, “I see”). Doublet of aidoru, idol, and idolum and related to idea.