avatar etymology

Etymology and Meaning

The word "avatar" is derived from the Sanskrit word "avatāra," which means "descent." In Hindu mythology, an avatar is the incarnation or manifestation of a deity on Earth. The term is often used to refer to a divine being who takes on human form to help or guide humanity.

Origin

The concept of avatars originated in Hinduism. In Hindu mythology, Vishnu is the supreme god who has incarnated himself on Earth in various forms, such as Rama, Krishna, and Buddha, to save humanity from evil and restore dharma (righteousness).

Usage

Over time, the term "avatar" has expanded in its usage beyond its original Hindu context. It is now commonly used to refer to:

• A representation of a person or character in a digital environment, such as a profile picture or character in a video game.
• A representative or spokesperson for a group or organization.
• A temporary or assumed identity used by a person or group.

Examples

• The avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu in the form of Rama is known for his epic battles with the demon king Ravana.
• In the online game World of Warcraft, players create avatars that represent their in-game characters.
• The celebrity spokesperson for a product is often referred to as an avatar for that brand.

avatar relate terms

• avatar

  Etymology and Meaning The word avatar is derived from the Sanskrit word avatāra whi

• caravanserai

  Etymology From Persian کاروانسرا kārvānsarā which is a compound of ک

• nectar

  Etymology The word nectar derives from the Greek word νέκταρ néktar which

• nectarine

  Etymology The word nectarine is derived from the Latin word nectarum which means n

• nostril

  Etymology The word nostril is derived from the Middle English word nosethirl which i

• seraglio

  Etymology From Italian serraglio from Late Latin serralis from Latin sera lock bar

• thrill

  Etymology The word thrill is derived from the Old English word þrillan which means

• thorough

  Etymology The word thorough derives from the Old English word þurh which means thr

• through

  Etymology Etymology is the study of the origin and development of words It investigates

• tranche

  Etymology French trancher to cut Latin truncare to cut short lop off Meani

• trans

  Etymology The word trans originates from the Latin prefix trans which means across

• transient

  Etymology The word transient is derived from the Latin word transire which means to

• transom

  Etymology The word transom comes from Old English þerscwald pronounced thairsk wa

• trench

  Etymology The word trench comes from the Old French word trencher which means to cu

• truculent

  Etymology Late Middle English denoting a mischievous spirit of unknown origin The of

• truncate

  Etymology From Latin truncāre to lop off maim From Proto Indo European terk to c

• trunk

  Etymology The word trunk has multiple etymological origins From Old English trunc

• incarnation

  Etymology The word incarnation comes from the Latin word incarnatio which means to

• Pegasus

  Etymology From Ancient Greek Πήγασος Pēgasos Meaning Swift or Winged

• edification

  Etymology The word edification originates from the Latin term aedificare which means

• peace

  Etymology Old English pǣċ treaty pact peace Proto Germanic fraþuz treaty pa

• syncope

  Etymology From Ancient Greek sunkopē συγκοπή Derived from sun together

• affirmation

  Etymology The word affirmation comes from the Latin word affirmare which means to

• heresy

  Etymology The word heresy is derived from the Old French hérésie which in turn co

• gender

  Etymology The word gender derives from the Latin word genus which means kind or t

• atavism

• dilemma

  Etymology From Latin dilemma from Greek dílēmma meaning double proposition or