Main Entry:

idol

Pronunciation:

\ˈī-d^əl\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English, from Anglo-French idle, from Late Latin idolum, from Greek eidōlon image, idol; akin to Greek eidos form — more at idyll

Date:

13th century

1: a representation or symbol of an object of worship ; broadly : a false god2 a: a likeness of something bobsolete : pretender, impostor3: a form or appearance visible but without substance <an enchanted phantom, a lifeless idol — P. B. Shelley>4: an object of extreme devotion <a movie idol> ; also : ideal 25: a false conception : fallacy