Ikon
/ˈaɪ.kɒn/noun
A religious image or representation, especially in Eastern Christian tradition; also a person or thing regarded as a symbol.
Did you know?The word comes from Greek eikōn, meaning simply “image” or “likeness,” and in Christian history icons were defended as spiritually powerful objects, not just art.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
eikṓn (εἰκών)
“an image, likeness, portrait”
Late Latin
Latin
īcōn
“an image or portrait”
Old French
French
icône
“a religious image, especially a painted holy image”
Middle English
English
icon
“a religious image or symbol”
Modern English
English
icon
“a symbol, emblem, or highly admired person or thing”
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