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

"Jesus brought them in and Jesus challenged Herod from the very start. Social justice and loving the poor and challenging corrupt rulers is baked into Jesus' teachings and mission and life from his birth as our incarnate God."

From Salon

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

From BBC

Sacramento State won its third Big Sky championship under Taylor, and made it to the quarterfinals of the FCS playoff for the first time, losing to Incarnate Word.

From Seattle Times

“We want the presence of national genius, the collaboration of the Muses, the cult of beauty, all the display pertaining to the strong symbolism incarnate in the past by the Olympic Games and which must continue to be represented in our modern times.”

From New York Times

But the religious core of some of the backlash was visible in the response the Daily Wire’s Andrew Klavan received after he spoke up against harassing Jewish accounts with “Christ Is King”: “When you use that phrase to mean God has abandoned his chosen people, the Jews, through whom he came into this world incarnate … you are quoting Scripture like Satan does in the Bible,” he said.

From Slate