Library / English Dictionary

AVATAR

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

The manifestation of a Hindu deity (especially Vishnu) in human or superhuman or animal form

Example:

some Hindus consider Krishna to be an avatar of the god Vishnu

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Hypernyms ("avatar" is a kind of...):

Hindu deity (a deity worshipped by the Hindus)

Instance hyponyms:

Jagannath; Jagannatha; Jagganath; Juggernaut (an avatar of Vishnu)

Kalki (the 10th and last incarnation of Vishnu)

Krishna (8th and most important avatar of Vishnu; incarnated as a handsome young man playing a flute)

Rama (avatar of Vishnu whose name is synonymous with God; any of three incarnations: Ramachandra or Parashurama or Balarama)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A new personification of a familiar idea

Example:

the very avatar of cunning

Synonyms:

avatar; embodiment; incarnation

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Hypernyms ("avatar" is a kind of...):

personification (a person who represents an abstract quality)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "avatar"):

deification (an embodiment of the qualities of a god)

reincarnation (embodiment in a new form (especially the reappearance or a person in another form))

Credits