n.
Pronunciation: ' ī -d ə l
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French idle, from Late Latin idolum, from Greek eid ō lon image, idol; akin to Greek eidos form ― more at IDYLL
Date: 13th century
1 : a representation or symbol of an object of worship broadly : a false god
2 a : a likeness of something b obsolete : PRETENDER , IMPOSTOR
3 : a form or appearance visible but without substance <an enchanted phantom, a lifeless idol ― P. B. Shelley>
4 : an object of extreme devotion <a movie idol > also : IDEAL 2
5 : a false conception : FALLACY