incarnate

[ adjective in-kahr-nit, -neyt; verb in-kahr-neyt ]

adjective

1. embodied in flesh; given a bodily, especially a human, form:

   a devil incarnate.

2. personified or typified, as a quality or idea:

   chivalry incarnate.

3. flesh-colored or crimson.

verb (used with object)

, in·car·nat·ed, in·car·nat·ing.

1. to put into or represent in a concrete form, as an idea:

   The building incarnates the architect's latest theories.

2. to be the embodiment or type of:

   Her latest book incarnates the literature of our day.

3. to embody in flesh; invest with a bodily, especially a human, form:

   a man who incarnated wisdom and compassion.

incarnate

adjective

1. possessing bodily form, esp the human form

   a devil incarnate

2. personified or typified

   stupidity incarnate

3. (esp of plant parts) flesh-coloured or pink

verb

1. to give a bodily or concrete form to
2. to be representative or typical of

Other Words From

• nonin·carnate adjective
• nonin·carnat·ed adjective
• unin·carnate adjective
• unin·carnat·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of incarnate¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; late Middle English, from Late Latin incarnātus, past participle of incarnāre “to make into flesh,” equivalent to in- “in” + carn- “flesh” + -ātus past participle suffix; in- ², carnal, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of incarnate¹

C14: from Late Latin incarnāre to make flesh, from Latin in- ² + carō flesh

Example Sentences

That’s enough genius for any writer, but Williams goes further by offering actors the opportunity of incarnating his interior poetry.

From Los Angeles Times

“I can see how because of Aberfan, he is the devil incarnate,” she says.

From BBC

This change was made in the name of the one who incarnated the movement and its national revolution.

From Salon

Bernard Hill, 79, a British actor who incarnated a humble style of masculine leadership in three hugely successful Hollywood movies — “Titanic” and two films in the “Lord of the Rings” franchise — died May 5.

From Seattle Times

Bernard Hill, a British actor who incarnated a humble style of masculine leadership in three hugely successful Hollywood movies, “Titanic” and two films in the “Lord of the Rings” franchise, died on Sunday.

From New York Times