xoanon

American  

[zoh-uh-non] / ˈzoʊ əˌnɒn /

noun

Greek Antiquity.

plural

xoana

1. a simple, carved image, especially one in which the original block of stone or wood is readily apparent.

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xoanon British  

/ ˈzəʊəˌnɒn /

noun

1. a primitive image of a god, carved, esp originally, in wood, and supposed to have fallen from heaven

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Etymology

Origin of xoanon

1700–10; < Greek xóanon carved image; akin to xeîn to scrape, carve

Example Sentences

Furthermore, position was determined by reference to the xoanon.

From Problems in Periclean Buildings by Elderkin, G. W. (George Wicker)

Perhaps the ancient image of Athena, the xoanon of olive wood, which fell from heaven, fell at the time Zeus smote Erechtheus, just as the wooden image of Dionysus Cadmus fell when Zeus destroyed Semele.

From Problems in Periclean Buildings by Elderkin, G. W. (George Wicker)

Pausanias tells us 151 that the xoanon brought from Eleutherae was in one of the two temples in the theatre-precinct, while the other contained the chryselephantine statue of Alcamenes.

From The American Journal of Archaeology, 1893-1 by Various

The image borne in procession was clearly the xoanon which was brought by Pegasus from Eleutherae.

From The American Journal of Archaeology, 1893-1 by Various

Between them stood a gilt xoanon, which seems to have been carried outside in sacred processions.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 4 "Hero" to "Hindu Chronology" by Various