Avatar
[AV-ə-tahr]
Part of speech: noun
Origin: Sanskrit, late 18th century
1.
An icon or figure representing a particular person in video games, internet forums, etc.
2.
A manifestation of a deity or released soul in bodily form on earth; an incarnate divine teacher (mainly in Hinduism).
Examples of Avatar in a sentence
"Derek’s avatar on the text thread is a cartoon."
"Meghan chose the fox as her avatar in the video game."
About Avatar
This word originates from the Sanskrit “avantarana,” meaning “descent of a deity to the earth in incarnate form.”
Did you Know?
The rise of technology seems to coincide with a rise in popularity of the word “avatar.” In computer terminology, usage of the word seems to trace back to the 1992 sci-fi novel “Snowcrash” by Neal Stephenson, which features an alternate universe populated by avatars.
