Hypertext Webster Gateway: "avatar"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Avatar \Av`a*tar"\, n. [Skr. avat[^a]ra descent; ava from + root
t[.r] to cross, pass over.]
1. (Hindoo Myth.) The descent of a deity to earth, and his
incarnation as a man or an animal; -- chiefly associated
with the incarnations of Vishnu.
2. Incarnation; manifestation as an object of worship or
admiration.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
avatar
n 1: a new embodiment of a familiar idea; "the incarnation of
evil"; "the very avatar of cunning" [syn: {embodiment},
{incarnation}]
2: the manifestation of a Hindu deity (especially Vishnu) in
human or superhuman or animal form; "the Buddha is
considered an avatar of the god Vishnu"
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