aeon

[ ee-uh n, ee-on ]

/ ˈi ən, ˈi ɒn /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR aeon ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

(in Gnosticism) one of a class of powers or beings conceived as emanating from the Supreme Being and performing various functions in the operations of the universe.

eon.

Nearby words

Origin of aeon

1640–50; < Late Latin < Greek aiṓn space of time, age

Definition for aeon (2 of 2)

eon

or ae·on

[ ee-uh n, ee-on ]

/ ˈi ən, ˈi ɒn /

noun

an indefinitely long period of time; age.

the largest division of geologic time, comprising two or more eras.

Astronomy. one billion years.

Origin of eon

see origin at aeon

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for aeon

In a January piece in Aeon Magazine, science writer Philip Ball identifies the dangers of “instrument-worship” among scientists.
What Will Happen to Our Minds in the Future?|Robert Herritt|March 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When it was spent, they would rest for aeon, then stir again.
Lewis Rand|Mary Johnston
After what seemed an aeon, they saw that it was daylight outside.
The Call of the Beaver Patrol|V. T. Sherman
For a moment, precious as an aeon, she held her hands upon me—then slowly opened her eyes.
Wilfrid Cumbermede|George MacDonald

Given such a culture-hero, the common herd was capable of carrying on more or less mechanically for an aeon or so.
Progress and History|Various
Don't you remember what happened to the passengers of the Aeon, when that steamer was wrecked on Christmas Island?
By Right of Conquest|Arthur Hornblow

British Dictionary definitions for aeon (1 of 2)

aeon

esp US eon

/ (ˈiːən, ˈiːɒn) /

noun

an immeasurably long period of time; age

a period of one thousand million years

(often capital) gnosticism one of the powers emanating from the supreme being and culminating in the demiurge

Word Origin for aeon

C17: from Greek aiōn an infinitely long time

British Dictionary definitions for aeon (2 of 2)

eon

/ (ˈiːən, ˈiːɒn) /

noun

the usual US spelling of aeon

geology the longest division of geological time, comprising two or more eras

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for aeon (1 of 2)

aeon

1640s; see eon.

Word Origin and History for aeon (1 of 2)

eon

1640s, from Latin aeon, from Greek aion "age, vital force, a period of existence, lifetime, generation;" in plural, "eternity," from PIE root *aiw- "vital force, life, long life, eternity" (cf. Sanskrit ayu "life," Avestan ayu "age," Latin aevum "space of time, eternity," Gothic aiws "age, eternity," Old Norse ævi "lifetime," German ewig "everlasting," Old English a "ever, always").