effigy

[ ef-i-jee ]

noun

, plural ef·fi·gies.

1. a representation or image, especially sculptured, as on a monument.
2. a crude representation of someone disliked, used for purposes of ridicule.

effigy

/ ɪˈfɪdʒɪəl; ˈɛfɪdʒɪ /

noun

1. a portrait of a person, esp as a monument or architectural decoration
2. a crude representation of someone, used as a focus for contempt or ridicule and often hung up or burnt in public (often in the phrases burn or hang in effigy )

Derived Forms

• effigial, adjective

Other Words From

• ef·fig·i·al [ih-, fij, -ee-, uh, l], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of effigy¹

1530–40; (< Middle French ) < Latin effigia, equivalent to effig- ( ef- ef- + fig- shape, form; figure ) + -ia -y ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of effigy¹

C18: from Latin effigiēs, from effingere to form, portray, from fingere to shape

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in effigy, in public view in the form of an effigy:

   a leader hanged in effigy by the mob.

More idioms and phrases containing effigy

see in effigy .

Example Sentences

In South Carolina, he “appeared suspended, on a gallows seventy feet high” to the right of another stamp collector’s effigy.

From Washington Post

It was a festive affair, with a balloon ascending to the sky and effigies of infamous abolitionists to burn along with the newspapers below their feet.

From Time

That is why, on those great careening carts Americans hauled through town on Pope’s Day, the pontiff himself, and his hellish master, were made in effigy looking ridiculous, but also monstrous, dressed in tar and feathers.

From Washington Post

Picket signs decried IBM customers in Texas as “traitors,” while the University of Wisconsin YAF hung a cardboard effigy of a computer outside of the Madison office.

From Washington Post

They lit candles at their windows and in front of the many effigies of Maradona that dot Napoli’s streets and its homes, often alongside saints.

From Quartz

Somebody built an effigy of President Peña Nieto that was 20 feet high.

From The Daily Beast

When the civilian President Maduro burns in effigy, soldiers can still warm their hands around the flames.

From The Daily Beast

Meanwhile, in South Yorkshire, anti-Thatcher activists burned an effigy of the controversial leader.

From The Daily Beast

If diplomatic relations keep deteriorating, an effigy of the queen may not be far behind.

From The Daily Beast

In May, an effigy of FitzPatrick was burned on the streets of Dublin.

From The Daily Beast

This was that Alderman Henry Smith whose tomb and effigy are so conspicuous in the parish church.

From Project Gutenberg

Even if they failed to obtain it the funeral rites were duly paid to an effigy of the deceased.

From Project Gutenberg

Sedgrave, the mayor, who had sat quiet during the former service, produced a rosary and prayed openly before the bloody effigy.

From Project Gutenberg

It has his effigy in armour, with an ermined mantle, his feet leaning against a lion couchant.

From Project Gutenberg

The last flickering embers of the burning effigy died out and the scene was almost dark.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• likeness
• statue