avatar
[ av-uh-tahr, av-uh-tahr ]
/ ˈæv əˌtɑr, ˌæv əˈtɑr /
noun
Hindu Mythology.
the descent of a deity to the earth in an incarnate form or some manifest shape; the incarnation of a god.
an embodiment or personification, as of a principle, attitude, or view of life.
Digital Technology.
a graphical image that represents a person, as on the Internet.
Also called avatar mouse, mouse avatar.
a mouse that is implanted with cells or tissue freshly extracted from a human being, as to test drug therapies for an individual patient or to study a disease process: Researchers transplanted samples of the patient’s tumor into specially bred avatars.
(in science fiction) a hybrid creature, composed of human and alien DNA and remotely controlled by the mind of a genetically matched human being.
Origin of avatar
1775–85; < Sanskrit
avatāra a passing down, equivalent to
ava down +
-tāra a passing over
Words nearby avatar
avaricious,
avascular,
avascular graft,
avascularization,
avast,
avatar,
avaunt,
avc,
avdp.,
ave,
ave atque vale
Example sentences from the Web for avatar
British Dictionary definitions for avatar
avatar
/ (ˈævəˌtɑː) /
noun
Hinduism
the manifestation of a deity, notably Vishnu, in human, superhuman, or animal form
a visible manifestation or embodiment of an abstract concept; archetype
a movable image that represents a person in a virtual reality environment or in cyberspace
Word Origin for avatar
C18: from Sanskrit
avatāra a going down, from
avatarati he descends, from
ava down +
tarati he passes over
Cultural definitions for avatar
avatar
[ (av-uh-tahr) ]
In Hinduism, a god made visibly present, especially in a human form. The Buddha is considered an avatar of the god Vishnu.
notes for avatar
By extension, an “avatar” is any new embodiment of an old idea.