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

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

From Project Gutenberg

Other rich furniture is described, and a mode of divination by movements of a xoanon of Apollo.

From Project Gutenberg

Xoanon, zō′a-non, n. a primitive statue, fallen from heaven, originally of wood, later overlaid with ivory and gold.

From Project Gutenberg

But I shall not here trace the idol worshipped while yet merely a rude trunk or stock, and in that state called Sanis, through the Xoanon, when the wood was pared or shaven until it became a Deikelon or Bretas, having assumed a likeness, however faint, of the human form.

From Project Gutenberg

Those who believe that Pausanias saw the xoanon of Athena in the Hekatompedon are also compelled to make Pausanias double on his course and furthermore to strain the meaning of συνεχἡσ.

From Project Gutenberg