incarnate

[ adjective in-kahr-nit, -neyt; verb in-kahr-neyt ]

See synonyms for: incarnate incarnated incarnates incarnating on Thesaurus.com

adjective

embodied in flesh; given a bodily, especially a human, form: a devil incarnate.
personified or typified, as a quality or idea: chivalry incarnate.

flesh-colored or crimson.

verb (used with object),in·car·nat·ed, in·car·nat·ing.

to put into or represent in a concrete form, as an idea: The building incarnates the architect's latest theories.
to be the embodiment or type of: Her latest book incarnates the literature of our day.

to embody in flesh; invest with a bodily, especially a human, form: a man who incarnated wisdom and compassion.

Origin of incarnate

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; see in-², carnal, -ate¹

Other words from incarnate

non·in·car·nate, adjective
non·in·car·nat·ed, adjective
un·in·car·nate, adjective
un·in·car·nat·ed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use incarnate in a sentence

Prokopios describes the rule as that of “the demon that had become incarnate in Justinian.”
What the QAnon of the 6th Century Teaches Us About Conspiracies | Roland Betancourt | February 3, 2021 | Time
This is how destruction became real, incarnated: victims, places, witnesses.
Claude Lanzmann on 'Shoah', His Memoir, and the Banality of Evil | Clémence Boulouque | June 11, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
This combination is incarnated by Hoggard and Prabble, the two deacons of the dissenting congregation of Steepleford.
The English Stage | Augustin Filon
These spirits later became incarnated in human beings of the Lizard, Snake, or other totem, and are constantly being reincarnated.
The Secret of the Totem | Andrew Lang
All the mystery of womanhood seems incarnated in their ugly being—the Mothers!
The Letters of William James, Vol. 1 | William James

After the burial of Maroba, Gunpati incarnated in his first-born, who began a conjuring career in his turn.
From the Caves and Jungles of Hindostan | Helena Pretrovna Blavatsky
Many souls enter Acheron, and, after a longer or shorter period, return to earth to be incarnated in new bodies.
Reincarnation | Th. Pascal

British Dictionary definitions for incarnate

incarnate

adjective(ɪnˈkɑːnɪt, -neɪt) (usually immediately postpositive)

possessing bodily form, esp the human form: a devil incarnate
personified or typified: stupidity incarnate

(esp of plant parts) flesh-coloured or pink

verb(ɪnˈkɑːneɪt) (tr)

to give a bodily or concrete form to
to be representative or typical of

Origin of incarnate

C14: from Late Latin incarnāre to make flesh, from Latin in- ² + carō flesh

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

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