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 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

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'eidolon.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 19 Mar. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!