idol

English

/ˈaɪd(ə)l/

noun
Definitions
  • A graven image or representation of anything that is revered, or believed to convey spiritual power.
  • A cultural icon, or especially popular person.
  • (Asia) Popular entertainer; usually young, captivating, attractive; and often female, with an image of being close to fans.
  • (obsolete) An eidolon or phantom; something misleading or elusive.

Etymology

Inherited from Proto-Indo-European *wéydos (image, seeing), *weyd- (see, know, behold, perceive, find, view, look at).

Origin

Proto-Indo-European

*weyd-

Gloss

see, know, behold, perceive, find, view, look at

Concept
Semantic Field

Sense perception

Ontological Category

Action/Process

Kanji

知

Emoji
🙈 🪚

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms