ˌinˌkärˈnāshən, -kȧˈn- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English incarnacioun, from Old French incarnation, from Late Latin incarnation-, incarnatio, from incarnatus + Latin -ion-, -io -ion
1. : a clothing or state of being clothed with flesh : a taking on of or being manifested in a fleshly body
2. : an incarnated being or idea: as
a.
(1) : the embodiment of a deity or spirit in some form of earthly existence (as a person, an animal, or a plant)
(2) usually capitalized : the union of divinity with humanity in Jesus Christ
b. : a concrete or actual form incorporating or exemplifying a principle, ideal, or other quality or concept : embodiment
this busy grimy port, the very incarnation of commerce and industry
especially : a person showing a trait or typical character to a marked degree
the very incarnation of deceit
3. archaic : a rosy or red color : flesh 6, carnation
4. archaic : a process or product of healing
5. : a period of incarnation : time passed in a particular bodily form or state
each incarnation leading to a higher
the old building had passed through several incarnations as church, workshop, stable, and finally tearoom