effigy

[ef-i-jee]

noun

plural

effigies 

1. a representation or image, especially sculptured, as on a monument.

2. a crude representation of someone disliked, used for purposes of ridicule.

effigy

/ ɪˈfɪdʒɪəl, ˈɛfɪdʒɪ /

noun

1. a portrait of a person, esp as a monument or architectural decoration

2. a crude representation of someone, used as a focus for contempt or ridicule and often hung up or burnt in public (often in the phrases burn or hang in effigy )

Other Word Forms

• effigial adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of effigy¹

1530–40; (< Middle French ) < Latin effigia, equivalent to effig- ( ef- ef- + fig- shape, form; figure ) + -ia -y ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of effigy¹

C18: from Latin effigiēs, from effingere to form, portray, from fingere to shape

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in effigy, in public view in the form of an effigy.

   a leader hanged in effigy by the mob.

see in effigy.

Example Sentences

True to the festival’s name, every structure at Burning Man is temporary, as many buildings, along with the effigy, are set on fire by the end of the festival.

From Salon

A gallows was erected; an effigy of a Chinese man swung from a noose.

From Los Angeles Times

True to its name, every structure is temporary as many buildings, along with the effigy, are burned to the ground by the end of the festival.

From Salon

The man’s body was discovered shortly after the giant effigy of “Burning Man” was lighted on fire.

From Los Angeles Times

As the giant effigy of the “Man” burned in the Nevada desert, a festival-goer approached a sheriff’s deputy.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• likeness 
• statue