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

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)

According to the old plan, Pausanias found the paintings in the western chamber of the διπλοὑν οἱκημα, that is, between them and the wall against which stood the xoanon, was a chamber.

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

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

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

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 eastern door of the Erechtheum was not the normal, not the intended entrance to the cella of Athena, but served as the traditional eastern entrance toward which the xoanon faced.

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