Icon
/ˈaɪ.kɒn/noun
A symbol or representation, often of a religious figure or concept.
Did you know?In Byzantine Christianity, icons were believed to hold divine presence, acting as portals to the sacred.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
εἰκών (eikṓn)
“A representation or likeness, often used in a religious context.”
Late Latin
Latin
icon
“A representation or image, especially of a sacred figure.”
Old French
Old French
icone
“A religious image or painting.”
Middle English
Middle English
icōn
“A representation or image, particularly in a religious sense.”
Modern English
English
icon
“A symbol or representation, especially one with significant cultural or religious meaning.”