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Synonyms

eidolon

American  
[ahy-doh-luhn] / aɪˈdoʊ lən /

noun

plural

eidola, eidolons
  1. a phantom; apparition.

  2. an ideal.


eidolon British  
/ aɪˈdəʊlɒn /

noun

  1. an unsubstantial image; apparition; phantom

  2. an ideal or idealized figure

"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

Etymology

Origin of eidolon

First recorded in 1820–30; idol

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The most famous eidolon appeared in Greek literature as the likeness of another Helen - Helen of Troy.

From Washington Times • Mar. 27, 2017

Helen doesn’t ask anyone at Prime Space to explain her mission’s name, Eidolon, but if she’d checked Wikipedia, she would have learned that an eidolon is a phantom in human form.

From Washington Times • Mar. 27, 2017

Contrast the Belvedere with the Venus de Milo, the very eidolon of the female form, the Queen of the Loves; the head too small for great intellect but big enough for the greatest love.

From Time Magazine Archive

He remembered earlier in the night, when Piper had forced the eidolon to leave his mind.

From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan

After the eidolon was gone, he felt as if a hot spike had been removed from his forehead.

From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan