imago

noun

ima·​go i-ˈmä-(ˌ)gō  -ˈmā- 

plural imagoes or imagines i-ˈmā-gə-ˌnēz  -ˈmä- 

-ˈmā-jə-, 

-ˈma-

1

: an insect in its final, adult, sexually mature, and typically winged state

2

: an idealized mental image of another person or the self

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin imāgō, going back to Latin imāgin-, imāgō "representation, semblance, image entry 1"

Note: As a descriptive term for insects apparently introduced by linnaeus in Systema naturae, 12th edition, vol. 1, part 2 (Stockholm, 1767), p. 535. Linnaeus's conception was that the imago was the true representation of the creature, the earlier stages of larva (Latin larva, taken to mean "ghost") and pupa (Latin pūpa "doll") being in a sense illusory.

First Known Use

1787, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for imago

• iago
• drago
• medicago
• solidago
• ustilago

Kids Definition

imago

noun

ima·​go im-ˈā-gō  -ˈäg-ō 

plural imagoes or imagines -ˈā-gə-ˌnēz 

-ˈäg-ə-

: an insect in its final adult, sexually mature, and usually winged state

imaginal

-ˈā-gən-ᵊl, 

-äg-ən-

adjective

Medical Definition

imago

noun

ima·​go im-ˈā-(ˌ)gō  -ˈäg-(ˌ)ō 

plural imagoes or imagines -ˈā-gə-ˌnēz  -ˈäg-ə- 

1

: an insect in its final, adult, sexually mature, and typically winged state

2

: image sense 2a(2)