Idol

ī′dul, n. a figure: an image of some object of worship: a person or thing too much loved or honoured: any phantom of the brain, or any false appearance by which men are led into error or prejudice which prevents impartial observation, a fallacy—also Idō′lon , Idō′lum :— pl. Idō′la —Bacon ( Novum Organum , i. § 38) makes these four in number— Idols of the nation or tribe ; Idols of the den or cave (fallacies due to personal causes); Idols of the forum (those due to the influence of words or phrases); Idols of the theatre (those due to misconceptions of philosophic system or demonstration).— v.t. I′dolīse , to make an idol of, for worship: to love to exce .— ns. Idolīs′er ; I′dolism ( Milt. ), idolatrous worship; I′dolist ( Milt. ), an idolater; Idol′oclast , a breaker of images.— adj. Idolograph′ical , treating of idols. [O. Fr. idole —L. idolum —Gr. eidōlon — eidos , what is seen— ide in , to see.]