Origin:
* Greek: The word "idol" comes from the Greek word "eidolon" which meant "image," "phantom," or "specter." It's related to the verb "eido" meaning "to see" or "to know."
* Latin: The Greeks borrowed the word "eidolon" and passed it on to the Romans who adopted it as "idolum."
* English: Eventually, the Latin "idolum" made its way into English, becoming "idol."
Meaning Evolution:
* Initially, "eidolon" wasn't necessarily associated with religious worship. It simply referred to any kind of image or representation.
* Over time, the word's meaning shifted to include the concept of "false god" or "object of worship." This shift likely occurred due to the ancient world's practices of worshipping images and statues of deities.
* The word "idol" today carries this religious connotation, referring to a false god or an object of excessive devotion or admiration.
Interesting Note:
* The word "eidolon" also gave rise to the word "idolatry," meaning the worship of idols or the practice of worshipping something in an excessive or misplaced way.
So, while the origin of the word "idol" is rooted in the concept of an image, its meaning has evolved to signify an object of false worship or excessive devotion.