eidolon

A child's eidolon of a perfect friend appears in a daydream.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A phantom or apparition: "eidolon" refers to a specter or ghostly image, often associated with the spirit of a deceased person.
   • An idealized figure: It can also mean an unsubstantial or idealized image, representing a perfect form or concept, especially in literature or philosophy.

Usage Examples

• (A ghostly spirit of a dead relative.)
• (An idealized image of perfection.)

Advanced Usage

• "eidolon of the past": a nostalgic or sentimental image of something that no longer exists.

  • He could not escape the eidolon of his childhood home, forever haunting his dreams. (A persistent, idealized memory of a lost place.)

• "to summon an eidolon": in occult or fantasy contexts, to call forth a spirit or phantom.

  • The sorcerer performed a ritual to summon the eidolon of a long-dead king. (To conjure a ghostly apparition.)

Variants and Related Words

• Eidolic (adj): relating to or resembling an eidolon; ghostly or idealized.

  • The eidolic figure in the mirror seemed to wave at her. (Apparition-like.)

• Eidolon (plural: eidolons or eidola): both forms are acceptable.

  • The museum displayed ancient eidola carved from stone. (Multiple idealized figures.)

Synonyms

• Phantom: a ghostly apparition.
• Specter: a visible but immaterial spirit.
• Ideal: a perfect type or model.

Related Idioms

• "a phantom of the imagination": an eidolon as a product of fancy.

  • Her fear was just a phantom of the imagination, not a real threat. (An imaginary, haunting image.)

• "the eidolon of perfection": an unattainable standard.

  • He chased the eidolon of perfection in his art, never satisfied. (An idealized but impossible goal.)