idoln.
/ˈʌɪdl/, U.S. /ˈaɪd(ə)l/The order of appearance of the senses in English does not correspond to their original development in Greek, where the sequence was apparently: ‘appearance, phantom, unsubstantial form, image in water or a mirror, mental image, fancy, material image or statue’, and finally, in Jewish and Christian use, ‘image of a false god’. In English this last was, under religious influence, the earliest, and in Middle English the only sense; hence (as also in French) came sense 2. These are the only popular uses of the word. The other uses are 16th c. adoptions of earlier Greek senses, often however coloured by association with sense 1.
I. From Jewish and Christian use.
1. † c. A representation of a deity under some monstrous and non-natural form. Obsolete.
a. An image or similitude of a deity or divinity, used as an object of worship: applied to those worshipped by pagans, whence, in scriptural language, = false god, a fictitious divinity which ‘is nothing in the world’ (1 Corinthians viii. 4).
ΘΚΠ
the world > the supernatural > deity > [noun] > idol
godeOE
anlikenessOE
stockc1000
mammetc1225
Mahometc1275
Mahoundc1275
idola1325
simulacre1382
marmoseta1398
mammetrya1400
puppet1534
poppet?1548
block1570
Dagona1572
pagoda1582
pagody1588
Mokisso1634
poppet deitya1641
pageant idol1696
pageant thing1696
afgod1769
cult figure1895
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > respect > reverence > quality of inspiring reverence > [noun] > object
relic?c1225
relica1400
shrinec1460
idol1484
icon1833
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 1871 Godes ðat rachel hadde stolen..And oðre ydeles brogt fro sichem.
1340–70 Alex. & Dind. 754 For ȝour ydil idolus don ȝou ille wirche.
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) 1 Cor. viii. 4 We witen for an ydol is no thing in the world, and that ther is no God but oon.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 11759 Al þair idels in a stund Grouelings fel vnto þe grund.
a1425 (c1395) Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) (Royal) (1850) Wisd. xiv. 8 But the idol [1382 maumet] which is maad bi hond is cursid, bothe it, and he that made it.
1484 W. Caxton tr. Subtyl Historyes & Fables Esope vi A man whiche had in his hows an ydolle the whiche oftyme he adoured as his god.
1553 R. Eden tr. S. Münster Treat. Newe India sig. Cvj Ye priestes which serue ye Idols, are had in chiefe reuerence.
1600 J. Pory tr. J. Leo Africanus Geogr. Hist. Afr. i. 6 Some are Gentiles which worship Idols; others of the sect of Mahumet.
1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan iv. xlv. 359 But the name of Idoll is extended yet further in Scripture, to signifie also the Sunne, or a Starre, or any other Creature, visible or invisible, when they are worshipped for Gods.
1727 D. Defoe Syst. Magick i. i. 28 Their dumb Idols, whom they called by the Name of the Holy Gods.
1841 T. Carlyle On Heroes iv. 195 Idol is Eidolon, a thing seen, a symbol. It is not God, but a Symbol of God; and perhaps one many question whether any the most benighted mortal ever took it for more than a Symbol.
1860 E. B. Pusey Minor Prophets 51 To say that it was made, was to deny that it was God. Hence the prophets so often urge this special proof of the vanity of idols.
b. Applied polemically to images or figures of divine beings and saints, and, more generally, to any material object of worship in a Christian church.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the supernatural > deity > [noun] > idol > material object of worship in Christian church
idol?1542
?1542 H. Brinkelow Complaynt Roderyck Mors xxiv. sig. G4 [He] set vp in the same place another idol of .S. Iohan baptyst.
1554 T. Sampson in J. Strype Eccl. Memorials (1721) III. App. xviii. 47 Out of this mischievous idol the mass.
1566 in E. Peacock Eng. Church Furnit. (1866) 44 One Rood with Marie and John and the rest of such Idolles was brent.
1566 in E. Peacock Eng. Church Furnit. (1866) 45 Item an Idoll of all halowes—cut in peces by Mr. william ffearnes a year past.
1598 J. Dickenson Greene in Conceipt 22 Like to Idols, lay-mens bookes.
1608 Bp. J. Hall Epist. I. i. vi. 56 The famous Kentish Idol moued her eies, and hands, by those secret gimmers, which now euery Puppet-play can imitate.
1630 (title) The Great Idol of the Mass overthrown; a Sermon..By a Protestant.
1839 T. Keightley Hist. Eng. II. iv. 46 These various impostures were exposed at St. Paul's whither also were brought other idols from all parts of the country.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the supernatural > deity > [noun] > idol > in monstrous or non-natural form
idolc1400
grove1535
c1400 Mandeville Trav. (1839) xv. 164 Summe worschipen symulacres and summe ydoles. But betwene Symulacres and ydoles is a gret difference. For symulacres ben ymages made after lyknesse of men or of wommen, or of the sonne, or of the mone, or of ony best, or of ony kyndely thing. And ydoles is an ymage made of lewed wille of man, þat man may not fynden among kyndely thinges. As an ymage þat hath iiij hedes, on of a man, another of an hors, or of an ox, or of sum oþer best þat no man hath seyn.
2. figurative. Any thing or person that is the object of excessive or supreme devotion, or that usurps the place of God in human affection.
a. A thing.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > love > [noun] > one who loves too much > object of excessive or supreme devotion
goddessa1450
idol1562
1557 Bible (Whittingham) 1 John v. 21 Babes kepe your selues from idoles.]
1562 A. Scott Poems (1896) i. 119 In sum hartis is gravit new agane Ane image, callit cuvatyce of geir; Now, to expell þat idoll..God gif þe grace.
1639 T. B. tr. J.-P. Camus Certain Moral Relations in S. Du Verger tr. J.-P. Camus Admirable Events 351 It is only to save their purses that mettle, whereof they make their Idoll.
1706 Phillips's New World of Words (new ed.) Idol,..any Object of one's Fondness.
1737 S. Berington Mem. G. di Lucca 5 Money, the Idol of other People, was the least of his Care.
1771 H. Mackenzie Man of Feeling xxviii. 111 His darling idol was the honour of a soldier.
1855 D. Brewster Mem. Life I. Newton (new ed.) II. xxii. 286 He tells him that space is now the idol of Englishmen.
b. A person so adored.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > love > tenderness > foolish affection, excessive love or fondness > [noun] > person or thing regarded with
dotage1609
idola1616
doting piece1733
a1616 W. Shakespeare Two Gentlemen of Verona (1623) ii. iv. 142 Pro. Was this the Idoll, that you worship so? Val. Euen She. View more context for this quotation
1639 T. B. tr. J.-P. Camus Certain Moral Relations in S. Du Verger tr. J.-P. Camus Admirable Events 270 Whom shee openly cals her servant, and makes of him her Idoll.
1797 E. Burke Corr. IV. 433 They who make a man an idol, when he is off his pedestal will treat him with all the contempt with which blind and angry worshippers treat an idol that is fallen.
1819 W. Irving Sketch Bk. i. 46 How can she bear neglect? she has been the idol of society.
1839 C. Thirlwall Hist. Greece VI. lii. 266 A hero who was the idol of his army.
II. From classical Greek (and Latin) use.† 3. † b. A counterpart, likeness, imitation; = image n. 4, 7b Obsolete.† c. Aspect, appearance, likeness; = image n. 2.† 4. An inert inactive person (who has the form, without the proper activity or energy, of a man). = French idole, but in English naturally associated with idle = idler n. Obsolete.† 7. A fictitious personation; a counterfeit, sham; a pretender. (By Spenser used of a magic counterfeit.) Obsolete.† 8. The phrase idol shepherd used in Zechariah xi. 17 in Geneva Bible and 1611 (where the Vulgate has O pastor et idolum, the Septuagint οἱ ποιμαίνοντες τὰ μάταια, and the Revised Version of 1885 ‘worthless shepherd’), was frequently used in 17th cent. polemics, sometimes with allusion to idolatry, sometimes with idol taken as = ‘counterfeit’ or ‘sham’ (sense 7), sometimes associated with idle (see sense 4), and so ‘neglectful of duty’. Obsolete.
a. An image, effigy, or figure of a person or thing; esp. a statue. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > plastic art > statuary > [noun] > statue
likenessOE
imagec1225
figurea1300
signa1382
statuea1393
staturea1393
statutea1393
statutec1430
statuac1450
picture1517
idol1548
portraiture1548
pattern1582
portrait1585
icon1587
monument1594
simulacrum1599
statuary1599
plastic1686
make1890
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VI f. cxv The citezens of Orleaunce, had buylded in the honor of her, an Image or an Idole.
1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis ii. 28 He rash charged with launce thee mystical idol.
1591 E. Spenser Ruines of Rome in Complaints v Her brave writings..In spight of time..Doo make her Idole through the world appeare.
1605 R. Verstegan Restit. Decayed Intelligence iii. 72 His Idol was after his death honored prayed and sacrifysed vnto.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > similarity > [noun] > image of a person or thing
print1340
imagec1384
similitude?a1425
picturec1475
similitudeness1547
portrait1567
idol1590
model1594
self-imagea1672
duplicate1701
moral1751
ditto1776
fetch1787
double1798
fetch-like1841
splitting image1880
spitting image1901
spit1929
split-image1950
clone1977
the world > relative properties > relationship > imitation > [noun] > an imitation
resemblant1484
patterna1500
counterfeiture1548
counterfeit1587
idol1590
reduplication1592
copy1596
module1608
imitationa1616
mockage1615
echo1622
conduplicationa1631
transcript1646
ectype1647
mime1650
duplicating1659
mimicry1688
replication1692
shadow1693
reproduction1701
mimication?1715
repetition1774
replicate1821
autotype1829
replica1841
re-creation1915
retake1922
mock-up1957
reprise1961
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene ii. ii. sig. O5v Men..Doe her adore..As th'Idole of her makers great magnificence.
a1634 G. Chapman Bussy D'Ambois (1641) iv. i. 45 So women..Are the most perfect Idols [1607 images] of the Moone.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost vi. 101 Th' Apostat in his Sun-bright Chariot sate Idol of Majestie Divine. View more context for this quotation
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > thing seen > appearance or aspect > [noun] > shape or form
hue971
shapea1300
featurec1325
appearancec1385
portraiturec1450
facturec1460
idol1584
stampa1586
apparition1610
1584 R. Scot Discouerie Witchcraft xv. ii. 390 Orobas..commeth foorth like a horsse, but when he putteth on him a mans idol, he talketh of diuine vertue.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > inaction > disinclination to act or listlessness > sloth or laziness > [noun] > lazy person > an idler or loafer
lurdanc1330
player1340
moochera1425
loon?c1450
lounger?a1513
idler1534
rest man1542
holiday-woman1548
baty bummill1568
bummill baty1568
friar-fly?1577
idol1579
lingerer1579
loll1582
idleby1589
shit-rags1598
blaitie bum1602
idle1635
Lollard1635
loiterer1684
saunterer1688
scobberlotchera1697
bumble1786
quisby1789
waffler1805
shoat1808
loafer1830
bummer1855
dead beat1863
bum1864
scowbanker1864
schnorrer1875
scowbank1881
ikey1906
layabout1932
lie-about1937
spine-basher1946
limer1964
1579 L. Tomson tr. J. Calvin Serm. Epist. S. Paule to Timothie & Titus 238/1 It is not an honour of idlenesse, to bee called to this state, and therfore that he must not play the idoll, but..must giue himselfe to it..and take paines about it.
5. A visible but unsubstantial appearance, an image caused by reflexion as in a mirror, an incorporeal phantom.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > light > reflection > [noun] > reproducing an image > image produced by
imagec1350
umberc1407
idol1563
reflection1563
reflex1596
shadow-light1623
species1638
repercussion1646
reflect1829
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > thing seen > optical illusion > [noun] > an optical illusion > vision or apparition
visionc1290
fantasyc1325
imagec1350
figurec1384
beholdingc1440
semblance1489
idol1563
ghost1593
fancy1609
species1639
spectrala1656
spectre1801
eidolon1828
1563 W. Fulke Goodle Gallerye Causes Meteors iii. f. 41v Men haue seen..two sonnes..They are nothing els but Idols, or Images of the sunne, represented in an equall..watry cloude.
?1611 G. Chapman tr. Homer Iliads xxiii. 94 I see we have a soul In th' underdwellings, and a kind of man-resembling idol.
1676 T. Hobbes tr. Homer Iliads (1677) 344 In hell there souls are, though they have no hearts, But idols only are, and forms of men.
1678 R. Cudworth True Intellect. Syst. Universe i. v. 784 By the Idol of the Soul Plotinus seems to mean, an Airy or Spirituous Body.
a1822 P. B. Shelley tr. J. W. von Goethe Scenes from Faust in Posthumous Poems (1824) 414 It is an enchanted phantom, A lifeless idol.
1886 R. L. Stevenson Strange Case Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde 114 I looked upon that ugly idol [sc. his image] in the glass.
6.
a. A mental fiction; a phantasy or fancy.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > faculty of imagination > mental image, idea, or fancy > [noun] > imaginary form, fiction
fantasy1362
figurec1384
feigning1388
idol1577
idea1593
nonentity1604
figment1624
spectre1708
1577 T. Vautrollier tr. M. Luther Comm. Epist. to Galathians (new ed.) f. 123 In their heart they stablish, not the righteousnes of the lawe..but a mere fantasie and an Idoll of the lawe.
1684 tr. H. C. Agrippa Vanity Arts & Sci. (new ed.) 335 They frame to themselves..so many Idols and Phantomes of their own Imaginations about divine things.
1899 G. G. Findlay in Expositor Feb. 94 They hold and grasp the very God in Christ, and are no longer mocked with vain idols and phantoms of blessedness.
b. Logic. A false mental image or conception; a false or misleading notion; a fallacy; = idolum n. 2.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > faculty of ideation > faint, imperfect idea > [noun] > false
idolum1640
idolism1671
idol1678
fiction1828
pseudo-idea1863
pseudo-concept1866
1620 F. Bacon Instauratio Magna i. xxxix Quatuor sunt genera Idolorum quæ mentes humanas obsedent. Iis (docendi gratiâ) nomina imposuimus; vt primum genus, Idola Tribûs; secundum, Idola specûs; tertium, Idola Fori; quartum, Idola Theatri vocentur.]
1678 R. Cudworth True Intellect. Syst. Universe i. v. 884 But this is a meer Idolum Specus, an Idol of the Cave or Den.
1678 R. Cudworth True Intellect. Syst. Universe i. v. 886 This is but another Idol of the Atheists Den.
1733 P. Shaw tr. F. Bacon Novum Organum i. ii, in Philos. Wks. II. 351 There are four Kinds of Idols that possess the Mind of Man... We will..call the first Kind, Idols of the Tribe; the second, Idols of the Den; the third, Idols of the Market; and the fourth, Idols of the Theatre.
1785 T. Reid Ess. Intellect. Powers vi. viii. 652 To every bias of the understanding, by which a man may be misled in judging, or drawn into error, Lord Bacon gives the name of idol.
1877 E. R. Conder Basis of Faith ii. 81 Impenetrability, so confidently assumed as a self-evident primary property of matter..is seen to be an idol of our imagination.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > dissimulation, pretence > [noun] > one who or that which dissembles
feigner1382
pseudo1402
simular1526
simuler1534
colourer1554
counterfeiter1561
truphane1568
counterfeit1574
put-forth1581
pretender1583
impostor1586
idol1590
would-be1607
phantasm1622
farce1696
imposture1699
Barmecide1713
simulator1835
fraud1850
sham1850
fake1855
swindle1858
shammer1861
make-believe1863
hoax1869
economizer1874
make-believer1884
ringer1896
phoney1902
faker1910
shill1976
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene iii. viii. sig. Kk3 To walke the woodes with that his Idole faire.
1611 J. Speed Hist. Great Brit. ix. xx. 732/1 Shee well knew that this Lambert was but an Idoll, hammered out of the hote braine of that Boutefew Richard Simon, yet she embraceth the occasion, countenanceth the Imposture.
1612 J. Davies Discouerie Causes Ireland 63 Those two Idolles or counterfets which were set vp against him in the beginning of his raign.
1622 F. Bacon Hist. Raigne Henry VII 29 He knew the pretended Plantagenet to be but an Idoll.
1660 T. Fuller Mixt Contempl. ii. xli. 60 King Hen. the seventh was much troubled..with Idols..pittifull Persons, who pretended themselves Princes.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > carelessness > [noun] > neglect > one who neglects
neglecter1548
idol shepherd1560
neglector1607
society > faith > church government > member of the clergy > pastor > [noun] > sham or neglectful of duty
idol shepherd1560
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Zech. xi. 17 O Idols shepherde, that leaueth the flocke.]
1560 Bible (Geneva) Zech. xi. 17 O idole shepherd that leaueth the flocke.
1585 Abp. E. Sandys Serm. iii. 60 Woe therefore to the idle and Idol pastor.
1590 H. Barrow in H. Barrow & J. Greenwood Coll. Certain Lett. & Conf. iii. 55 We are ledd vnto Idoles when we are ledd vnto such Ministers as you, which..are Idole Shepherds and Ministers.
1611 Bible (King James) Zech. xi. 17 Woe to the idoll shepheard that leaueth the flocke. View more context for this quotation
1612 T. Taylor Αρχὴν Ἁπάντων: Comm. Epist. Paul to Titus ii. 1 All idle, and idoll, Ministers that thrust themselues in for Pastors, and can onely feed themselues.
1634 J. Canne Necessitie of Separation ii. 110 Reading of Homilies in the church..is said to be..but the instrument of foolish and idoll sheapheards.
Compounds
C1. attributive (without hyphen).Often not distinguishable from the combinations in sense Compounds 2.
ΚΠ
c1585 R. Browne Answere to Cartwright 33 He will haue..an Idol christ to be the life of the church.
c1585 R. Browne Answere to Cartwright 34 What remaineth but an Idol or counterfet christ?
a1637 B. Jonson Under-woods ii. viii. 22 in Wks. (1640) III Nay I will not let you sit 'Fore your Idoll Glasse a whit.
1648 T. Gage Eng.-Amer. xviii. 124 Placing there their Idoll Saints and Images.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iv, in tr. Virgil Wks. 131 Besides, not Egypt, India..more With servile Awe, their Idol King adore. View more context for this quotation
1827 J. Keble Christian Year II. lxvii. 63 What idol shapes are on the wall pourtray'd.
1854 Proc. Soc. Antiq. 3 51 William Sells..exhibited..three sketches of an Idol Figure of Mexican appearance.
C2.
a. General attributive. Of an idol, of idols.
idol-altar n.
ΚΠ
1611 Bible (King James) 1 Macc. i. 54 They..builded idole altars throughout the cities of Iuda. View more context for this quotation
1860 E. B. Pusey Minor Prophets 572 The dust of the idol-altars was cast into the brook Kedron.
idol-chapel n.
ΚΠ
1860 E. B. Pusey Minor Prophets 41 Each idol-chapel..which they had multiplied to their idols.
idol-chariot n.
ΚΠ
1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage (1864) 142 They haue those Idol-chariots, like vnto Towers, to the drawing whereof, many thousands of deuout persons put their helping-hand.
idol-clergy n.
ΚΠ
1608 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. (new ed.) ii. iv. 119 Baal's idol Clergie hee [sc. Jehu] doth bring to naught.
idol-dwelling n.
ΚΠ
1816 Ld. Byron Childe Harold: Canto III xci. 50 Idol-dwellings, Goth or Greek.
idol-figure n.
ΚΠ
1822 S. Burder Oriental Customs (ed. 6) II. 103 The statue of Thammuz, according to the Rabbins, was a kind of talisman. It must have been an early idol figure.
idol-form n.
ΚΠ
1827 J. Keble Christian Year I. xliv. 175 An idol form of earthly gold.
idol-graith n.
idol-house n.
ΚΠ
1577 H. I. tr. H. Bullinger 50 Godlie Serm. III. v. vii. sig. Oooo.iij/2 To sacrifice at the altars of their Gods in idol-houses, yt is to say, in their idol temples.
1882 Archaeologia Cantiana 14 103 A temple or idol-house where King Ethelbert according to the rites of his tribe was wont to pray.
idol-priest n.
ΚΠ
1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 187 Truly these Idoll Priests are in such great esteeme among them.
1677 R. Gilpin Dæmonol. Sacra iii. xxi. 174 He became an Idol-Priest in Thessalonica.
idol-procession n.
ΚΠ
1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage (1864) 140 Sir Iohn Mandeuile reporteth the same Historie of their Idoll-Procession, and the ashes of those voluntary Martyrs.
idol-prophet n.
ΚΠ
1662 E. Stillingfleet Origines Sacræ ii. v. §2 He that prophesied in the name of an Idol..this was the Idol-Prophet.
idol-room n.
ΚΠ
1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage 444 In the entries of their houses they have an Idol-roome, where they Incense these Deities morning and evening.
idol-sanctuary n.
ΚΠ
1860 E. B. Pusey Minor Prophets 150 That God would desolate the idol-sanctuaries of Israel.
idol-service n.
ΚΠ
1568 in J. Strype Ann. Reformation (1709) lii. 525 Whether..a godly man may be at idol-service with his body, his heart being with God.
idol-shrine n.
ΚΠ
a1657 G. Daniel Trinarchodia: Richard II cclxxvii, in Poems (1878) III. 206 This Idol-shrine..can boast of greater things Then many Temples famed.
idol-throne n.
b. Pertaining to or connected with idols or idol-worship, idolatrous.
idol-devotion n.
ΚΠ
1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage (1864) 136 Which [sacrifices] in Idoll-deuotion were all bestowed after on the poore.
idol-enjoyment n.
ΚΠ
1860 E. B. Pusey Minor Prophets 554 God would wring his idol-sacrifices and idol-enjoyments from him.
idol-feast n.
ΚΠ
a1629 W. Hinde Faithfull Remonstr. (1641) xxx. 95 Such Wakes, and Idol-Feasts.
idol-fire n.
ΚΠ
1842 Ld. Tennyson Love thou thy Land in Poems (new ed.) I. 227 A wind to puff your idol-fires, And heap their ashes on the head.
idol-folly n.
idol-hope n.
ΚΠ
1860 E. B. Pusey Minor Prophets 193 Bethel, the centre of their idol-hopes.
idol-hymn n.
ΚΠ
1827 J. Keble Christian Year I. xxvii. 107 What seem'd an idol hymn, now breathes of thee.
idol-ocean n.
ΚΠ
1608 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. (new ed.) ii. iv. 91 A hundred Prophets..Resist their rage, and from sad drowning keep The wracked planks on th' Idol-Ocean deep.
idol-offering n.
ΚΠ
1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage 65 Their Priests collusions to make gaines of the Idol-offerings.
idol-pressure n.
idol-sacrifice n.
ΚΠ
1860 E. B. Pusey Minor Prophets 28 Partaking of their idol-sacrifices and idolatrous rites.
idol-sin n.
ΚΠ
1608 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. (new ed.) ii. iv. 118 Thou, brought'st Samaria to Thine Idol-Sin.
c. Appositive.
idol-block n.
ΚΠ
1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage 93 To worship..not that Virgin, on Earth holie, in Heaven glorious; but these idol-conceits, and idol-blockes of her.
idol-devil n.
ΚΠ
1600 P. Holland tr. J. B. Marlianus Svmmary Topogr. Rome ii. iv, in tr. Livy Rom. Hist. 1355 In old time they called this Idoll-devill, Vejovis, because he was deprived of all power to helpe and doe good.
idol-gold n.
ΚΠ
1638 T. Herbert Some Yeares Trav. (rev. ed.) 297 Whither the lustfull Spaniard brought it, with his Idol-gold from ravisht Indya.
idol-notion n.
ΚΠ
1663 J. Spencer Disc. Prodigies ii. 35 Common Experience (the surest correctour of all Idol notions and hastie reasonings).
1709 Ld. Shaftesbury Sensus Communis: Ess. Freedom of Wit 3 Having..consecrated in our selves certain Idol-Notions, which we will never suffer to be unveil'd.
idol-puddle n.
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1606 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. (new ed.) ii. iii. 132 Contemnes the Fountaine of God's sacred Lawe, From Idoll-Puddles poys'nie drinke to drawe.
idol-self n.
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a1711 T. Ken Urania in Wks. (1721) IV. 485 For Idol-self great God dethrones.
idol-snake n.
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1610 G. Fletcher Christs Victorie 7 Denns where idoll-snakes delight Again to couer Satan from their sight.
d. Objective and objective genitive.
(a)
idol-breaker n.
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1579 W. Fulke Confut. Treat. N. Sander in D. Heskins Ouerthrowne 593 The idolaters haue had two generall councels of their side, the idoll breakers none.
1841 T. Carlyle On Heroes iv. 216 We are to consider Luther as a Prophet Idol-breaker.
idol-maker n.
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a1620 M. Fotherby Atheomastix (1622) i. xi. §5. 121 In making himselfe an Idol-God, hee becommeth both an Idol-maker, and an Idol it selfe.
idol-monger n.
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1623 Bp. J. Hall Contempl. VII. O.T. xviii. 22 Abandon those Idol-mongers, restore deuotion to her purity.
(b)
idol-breaking adj.
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1897 Daily News 12 Oct. 6/3 The bigoted Sikander, whose idol-breaking zeal procured him the title of But-Shikan, or ‘Iconoclast’.
idol-framing adj.
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1677 T. Gale Court of Gentiles: Pt. III iii. 33 It drew their Idol-framing hearts to set..their adoration on these creatures, the Sun, Moon and Stars.
idol-mongering n.
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1889 C. Edwardes Sardinia 184 Idol-mongering was a profitable line of life.
idol-serving adj.
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1606 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. (new ed.) ii. iv. 59 Idol-seruing Nile.
e. Instrumental and locative.
idol-anchored adj.
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1852 Meanderings of Memory I. 211 A heathen lamp supplies With meagre beam his Idol-anchored eyes.
idol-hated adj.
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1603 H. Chettle Englandes Mourning Garment sig. F4v The godly Constantine..Purgde this Iles aire from Idoll-hated sinne.
idol-prone adj.
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1606 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. (new ed.) ii. iii. 92 (Idoll-prone) example leading them.
idol-wedded adj.
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1606 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. (new ed.) ii. iii. 118 This Idol-wedded Towne.
C3. Special combinations.
idol's day n. a day on which an idol is honoured.
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1671 J. Milton Samson Agonistes 1297 This Idols day hath bin to thee no day of rest. View more context for this quotation
idol-shell n. a tropical mollusc of the family Ampullariidæ.
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1861 P. P. Carpenter Lect. Mollusca 52 The true ampullarias, which are peculiar to tropical America, and are called idol-shells by the Indians.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1899; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
† idolv.
Obsolete. rare.
transitive. To make an idol of; to idolize. (See also quot. 16442.)
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > love > [verb (transitive)] > be or become devoted to or delighted with > regard with utmost respect and devotion
adorec1350
idol1605
the mind > emotion > love > [verb (transitive)] > be or become devoted to or delighted with > regard with utmost respect and devotion > make into an idol
idol1605
society > faith > aspects of faith > theism > paganism > paganization > paganize [verb (transitive)]
idol1605
paganize1615
gentilize1643
heathenize1681
infidelize1836
1605 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. ii. ii. 412 Good Princes..Who Idol-not their pearlie Scepters glory.
1607 T. Tomkis Lingua ii. ii. D iij And when they haue thus Idold her [a lady-love] like Pigmalion, they fall downe and worship her.
1644 J. Maxwell Sacro-sancta Regum Majestas xi. 115 They Idoled the Covenant so much, that they would renounce God, if he would not be..the God of the Covenant.
1644 J. Maxwell Sacro-sancta Regum Majestas xv. 147 He resolveth to Idoll or serve corruptly the humour and state of the people where he liveth.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1899; most recently modified version published online March 2021).
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