Definition

1. Noun:
   • The embodiment or personification of an abstract quality or idea in human form: The act of giving concrete, human form to something intangible, such as a concept, virtue, or principle.
   • A living being or life form, especially a physical body: A period of life or existence in a particular physical form, often used in contexts of reincarnation or transformation.
   • (Christian theology) The doctrine that God became human in the person of Jesus Christ: The belief in the union of the divine and human natures in Christ.
   • A person who perfectly represents or exemplifies a particular quality or idea: Someone who is seen as the perfect or ultimate example of a specific trait or concept.

Usage Examples

• As the embodiment of an abstract idea:
  • She was the very incarnation of grace and elegance.
  • The villain in the story is the incarnation of greed.
• Referring to a bodily form or life:
  • He believes his soul will find a new incarnation after death.
  • In this incarnation, he works as a teacher.
• In Christian theology:
  • The feast celebrates the mystery of the Incarnation.
  • The doctrine of the Incarnation is central to Christian faith.
• As a personification:
  • The new software is the latest incarnation of their design philosophy.
  • This model is the newest incarnation of the classic sports car.

Advanced Usage

• "In one's present incarnation": Referring to one's current life, role, or manifestation.
  • In his present incarnation as a chef, he is very successful.
• "Previous/next incarnation": Used in contexts of reincarnation or significant transformation to denote a past or future form.
  • She claims to remember details from a previous incarnation.

Variants and Related Words

• Incarnate (verb): To embody or represent (a quality or idea) in human form; to put into concrete form.
  • The artist sought to incarnate the spirit of the age in his sculpture.
• Incarnate (adjective): Embodied in human form; personified.
  • He was evil incarnate.
• Reincarnation (noun): The rebirth of a soul in a new body.
  • Many Eastern religions believe in reincarnation.

Synonyms

• Embodiment: A tangible or visible form of an idea or quality.
• Personification: The attribution of human characteristics to something abstract, or its representation in human form.
• Avatar: A manifestation or embodiment, especially of a deity or concept.
• Epitome: A perfect example of a particular quality or type.

Related Phrases

• The Incarnation (capitalized): Specifically refers to the Christian doctrine of God becoming flesh in Jesus Christ.
  • Theology students study the meaning of the Incarnation.

Related Idioms

• [Something] incarnate: Used to emphasize that someone or something is the perfect example of a (typically negative) quality.
  • After the scandal, the press portrayed him as corruption incarnate.

Noun

1. the act of attributing human characteristics to abstract ideas etc.
2. time passed in a particular bodily form
   • he believes that his life will be better in his next incarnation
3. (Christianity) the Christian doctrine of the union of God and man in the person of Jesus Christ
4. a new personification of a familiar idea
   • the embodiment of hope
   • the incarnation of evil
   • the very avatar of cunning