'Idol' definitions:

Definition of 'idol'

From: WordNet
noun
A material effigy that is worshipped; "thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image"; "money was his god" [syn: idol, graven image, god]
noun
Someone who is adored blindly and excessively [syn: idol, matinee idol]
noun
An ideal instance; a perfect embodiment of a concept [syn: paragon, idol, perfection, beau ideal]

Definition of 'Idol'

From: GCIDE
  • Idol \I"dol\, n. [OE. idole, F. idole, L. idolum, fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? that which is seen, the form, shape, figure, fr. ? to see. See Wit, and cf. Eidolon.]
  • 1. An image or representation of anything. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
  • Do her adore with sacred reverence, As th' idol of her maker's great magnificence. --Spenser. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. An image of a divinity; a representation or symbol of a deity or any other being or thing, made or used as an object of worship; a similitude of a false god. [1913 Webster]
  • That they should not worship devils, and idols of gold. --Rev. ix. 20. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. That on which the affections are strongly (often excessively) set; an object of passionate devotion; a person or thing greatly loved or adored. [1913 Webster]
  • The soldier's god and people's idol. --Denham. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. A false notion or conception; a fallacy. --Bacon. [1913 Webster]
  • The idols of preconceived opinion. --Coleridge. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Idol'

From: Easton
  • Idol
  • Heb. aven, "nothingness;" "vanity" (Isa. 66:3; 41:29; Deut. 32:21; 1 Kings 16:13; Ps. 31:6; Jer. 8:19, etc.).
  • 'Elil, "a thing of naught" (Ps. 97:7; Isa. 19:3); a word of contempt, used of the gods of Noph (Ezek. 30:13).
  • 'Emah, "terror," in allusion to the hideous form of idols (Jer. 50:38).
  • Miphletzeth, "a fright;" "horror" (1 Kings 15:13; 2 Chr. 15:16).
  • Bosheth, "shame;" "shameful thing" (Jer. 11:13; Hos. 9:10); as characterizing the obscenity of the worship of Baal.
  • Gillulim, also a word of contempt, "dung;" "refuse" (Ezek. 16:36; 20:8; Deut. 29:17, marg.).
  • Shikkuts, "filth;" "impurity" (Ezek. 37:23; Nah. 3:6).
  • Semel, "likeness;" "a carved image" (Deut. 4:16).
  • Tselem, "a shadow" (Dan. 3:1; 1 Sam. 6:5), as distinguished from the "likeness," or the exact counterpart.
  • Temunah, "similitude" (Deut. 4:12-19). Here Moses forbids the several forms of Gentile idolatry.
  • 'Atsab, "a figure;" from the root "to fashion," "to labour;" denoting that idols are the result of man's labour (Isa. 48:5; Ps. 139:24, "wicked way;" literally, as some translate, "way of an idol").
  • Tsir, "a form;" "shape" (Isa. 45:16).
  • Matztzebah, a "statue" set up (Jer. 43:13); a memorial stone like that erected by Jacob (Gen. 28:18; 31:45; 35:14, 20), by Joshua (4:9), and by Samuel (1 Sam. 7:12). It is the name given to the statues of Baal (2 Kings 3:2; 10:27).
  • Hammanim, "sun-images." Hamman is a synonym of Baal, the sun-god of the Phoenicians (2 Chr. 34:4, 7; 14:3, 5; Isa. 17:8).
  • Maskith, "device" (Lev. 26:1; Num. 33:52). In Lev. 26:1, the words "image of stone" (A.V.) denote "a stone or cippus with the image of an idol, as Baal, Astarte, etc." In Ezek. 8:12, "chambers of imagery" (maskith), are "chambers of which the walls are painted with the figures of idols;" comp. ver. 10, 11.
  • Pesel, "a graven" or "carved image" (Isa. 44:10-20). It denotes also a figure cast in metal (Deut. 7:25; 27:15; Isa. 40:19; 44:10).
  • Massekah, "a molten image" (Deut. 9:12; Judg. 17:3, 4).
  • Teraphim, pl., "images," family gods (penates) worshipped by Abram's kindred (Josh. 24:14). Put by Michal in David's bed (Judg. 17:5; 18:14, 17, 18, 20; 1 Sam. 19:13).
  • "Nothing can be more instructive and significant than this multiplicity and variety of words designating the instruments and inventions of idolatry."

Synonyms of 'idol'

From: Moby Thesaurus

Words containing 'Idol'