īˈdōlən noun
( plural eidolons -lənz ; or eido·la -lə)
Etymology: Greek eidōlon phantom, image, idol — more at idol
1. : an unsubstantial image
free from her troubles among the eidolons of sleep — J.C.Powys
: phantom
2.
a. : an ideal figure
he had created in the Boss an eidolon a half century before this machine-age man became triumphant in history — H.S.Canby
or idealized person
Lincoln … the eidolon of democracy — G.W.Johnson
: exemplar
b. : ideal
psychiatry's eidolon of the personality completely … at home in the world — Bernard DeVoto
3. : a small winged figure human or combining human with animal elements found in Greek vase painting