eidolon

[ ahy-doh-luhn ]

noun

, plural ei·do·la [ahy-, doh, -l, uh], ei·do·lons.

1. a phantom; apparition.
2. an ideal.

eidolon

/ aɪˈdəʊlɒn /

noun

1. an unsubstantial image; apparition; phantom
2. an ideal or idealized figure

Word History and Origins

Origin of eidolon¹

First recorded in 1820–30; idol

Word History and Origins

Origin of eidolon¹

C19: from Greek: phantom, idol

Example Sentences

A dark wisp of smoke—Percy guessed it must be an eidolon—seeped into a Cyclops, made the monster hit himself in the face, then drifted off to possess another victim.

From Literature

In November 2015, he wrote an essay for Eidolon, an online classics journal, clarifying that in Rome, as in the United States, paeans to multiculturalism coexisted with hatred of foreigners.

From New York Times

These poachers may be after antelope and elephants, but their actions also pose a threat to the straw-coloured fruit bat, Eidolon helvum.

From The Guardian

Sable isn’t the first game to forgo virtual detritus in favor of a sleeker and more lonesome adventure. 2013’s Proteus and 2014’s Eidolon — two earnestly romantic pastoral games — used their lo-fi, albeit expressive, environments to foster interior musings, a far cry from the explosive popcorn-like entertainment of mainstream titles.

From The Verge

Donna Zuckerberg is editor-in-chief of online classics journal Eidolon, and the author of Not All Dead White Men: Classics and Misogyny in the Digital Age.

From BBC

Related Words

• demon
• devil
• phantom
• shadow
• soul
• specter
• vampire
• vision