avatar

English

/ˌæv.əˈtɑː/, /ˈæv.ə.tɑɹ/

noun
Definitions
  • (Hinduism) the incarnation of a deity, particularly Vishnu.
  • The physical embodiment of an idea or concept; a personification.
  • (computing) A digital representation of a person or being; often, it can take on any of various forms, as a participant chooses. e.g. 3D, animated, photo, sketch of a person or a person's alter ego, sometimes used in a virtual world or virtual chat room.

Etymology

Borrowed from Hindi अवतार borrowed from Urdu اوتار derived from Sanskrit अवतार (descent of a deity from a heaven, avatar, descended from the sky).

Origin

Sanskrit

अवतार

Gloss

descent of a deity from a heaven, avatar, descended from the sky

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms