iconoclast etymology

Etymology:

• Icon (Greek): "image"
• Klastes (Greek): "breaker"

Meaning:

An iconoclast is a person who attacks or destroys religious or cultural icons, especially those that are venerated or considered sacred.

Origin:

The term "iconoclast" was first used historically to refer to the Byzantine emperors who ordered the destruction of religious icons in the 8th and 9th centuries CE. These emperors argued that the veneration of icons was a form of idolatry.

Over time, the term "iconoclast" has been used more broadly to describe anyone who challenges or attacks established beliefs, institutions, or traditions. Iconoclasts may come from various perspectives, including religious, political, social, or artistic.

Examples of Iconoclasts:

• Martin Luther, who challenged the authority of the Catholic Church and its teachings.
• Galileo Galilei, who challenged the Aristotelian view of the cosmos and supported the heliocentric model.
• Pablo Picasso, who challenged traditional forms of painting with his cubist and abstract works.
• Malala Yousafzai, who challenges the Taliban's ban on education for girls.

Modern Usage:

Today, the term "iconoclast" is often used in a positive sense to describe someone who is willing to challenge the status quo, question authority, and push the boundaries of thought or expression. However, it can also be used in a negative sense to describe someone who is overly critical or destructive without offering constructive alternatives.

iconoclast relate terms

• clastic

  Etymology Greek klastos broken fragmented Latin clastus broken Meaning A

• holt

  Etymology Old English holt holt meaning a wood grove copse Proto Germanic hultaz

• iconoclasm

  Etymology Late 16th century from ecclesiastical Latin iconoclasmus from Greek eikonok

• iconoclast

  Etymology Icon Greek image Klastes Greek breaker Meaning An iconoclast is

• iconoclastic

• iconoclast

  Etymology Icon Greek image Klastes Greek breaker Meaning An iconoclast is

• destroyer

  Etymology Destroyer is derived from the Old French word destruire meaning to destr

• image

  Etymology The word image comes from the Latin word imago which in turn comes from th

• deliberate

  Etymology Latin deliberare meaning to deliberate consider weigh Prefix de mea

• notorious

  Etymology The word notorious is derived from the Latin phrase nota reus which means

• harmony

  Etymology Ancient Greek ἁρμονία harmonia from the verb ἁρμόζω harmo

• time

  Etymology Old English tîma time period hour West Germanic tîmon Proto Germanic

• Cincinnati

  Etymology The name Cincinnati is derived from the Latin phrase Cincinnatus qui colit

• confidence

  Etymology Confidence derives from the Latin word confidere meaning to trust fully

• picnic

  Etymology The word picnic is derived from the French phrase pique nique which means

• emancipate

  Etymology Latin emancipare to release a child from parental authority Latin root