icon

n. [ Also spelled ikon. ] [ L., fr. Gr. e'ikw`n. ] 1. An image or representation; a portrait or pretended portrait. [ 1913 Webster ]

Netherlands whose names and icons are published. Hakewill. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Gr. Ch.) A sacred picture representing the Virgin Mary, Christ, a saint, or a martyr, and having the same function as an image of such a person in the Latin Church. The term is used especially for a highly stylized and conventionalized representation of a holy person, rich in symbolism and used in devotional services in many of the eastern Orthodox churches, especially the Greek and Russian Orthodox Churches. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC ]

3. a symbol, especially a symbol whose form suggests its meaning or the object it represents. [ PJC ]

4. (Computers) a graphical symbol for a data object whose form suggests the nature or function of the object; especially, such a symbol as viewed on the computer screen. In a graphical user interface, pointing to and clicking on an icon may cause any of several types of actions, such as opening a file or executing a program, depending on how the icon properties are defined. [ PJC ]

5. any object of uncritical devotion. [ PJC ]

The former congresswoman and Vice-Presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro is still an icon to many party members. The New York Times, April 16, 1998 [ PJC ]

6. an outstanding example of something which has come to represent the class of things to which it belongs; a paragon; used of persons as well as objects. [ PJC ]

a. Pertaining to, or consisting of, images, pictures, or representations of any kind. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. iconismus, Gr. &unr_;, fr. &unr_; to mold, delineate, fr. e'ikw`n an image: cf. F. iconisme. ] The formation of a figure, representation, or semblance; a delineation or description. [ 1913 Webster ]

Some kind of apish imitations, counterfeit iconisms. Cudworth. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ Gr. e'ikoni`zein. ] To form an image or likeness of. [ R. ] Cudworth. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. iconoclasme. See Iconoclast. ] The doctrine or practice of the iconoclasts; image breaking. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Gr. e'ikw`n image + &unr_; to break: cf. F. iconoclaste. ] 1. A breaker or destroyer of images or idols; a determined enemy of idol worship. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. One who exposes or destroys impositions or shams; one who attacks cherished beliefs; a radical. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Of or pertaining to the iconoclasts, or to image breaking. Milman.

{ } n. [ Gr. e'ikw`n an image + &unr_; a slave. ] (Eccl. Hist.) One who serves images; -- opposed to an iconoclast. Schaff-Herzog Encyc. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ See Iconography. ] An engraving or other picture or illustration for a book. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]