a portrait of a person, esp as a monument or architectural decoration
2.
a crude representation of someone, used as a focus for contempt or ridicule and often hung up or burnt in public (often in the phrases burn or hang in effigy)
Derived forms
effigial (ɪˈfɪdʒɪəl)
adjective
Word origin
C18: from Latin effigiēs, from effingere to form, portray, from fingere to shape
Examples of 'effigies' in a sentence
effigies
In one corner, the sunshine gleams on 16th-century alabaster effigies.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
On the left are some of our favourite iffy effigies.
The Sun (2017)
Curious but also hauntingly evocative are the funeral effigies of monarchs and dignitaries.
Times, Sunday Times (2018)
Strip naked and burn effigies of them in the streets?
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Creating the effigies is done by cobbling together old clothes.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
There's real creativity in their protest, and not just with effigies.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
There is no more room for effigies of the famous dead.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
And especially if there's an angry mob waving bowlerhatted effigies at the front gate.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
There's also volcanic rock formations, but no burning effigies of disgraced bankers.