avatar

[av-uh-tahr, av-uh-tahr] /ˈæv əˌtɑr, ˌæv əˈtɑr/

noun

Hindu Mythology. the descent of a deity to the earth in an incarnate form or some manifest shape; the incarnation of a god.

an embodiment or personification, as of a principle, attitude, or view of life.

Digital Technology. a graphical image that represents a person, as on the Internet.

Also called avatar mouse, mouse avatar. a mouse that is implanted with cells or tissue freshly extracted from a human being, as to test drug therapies for an individual patient or to study a disease process:

Researchers transplanted samples of the patient’s tumor into specially bred avatars.

(in science fiction) a hybrid creature, composed of human and alien DNA and remotely controlled by the mind of a genetically matched human being.

Origin

1775-85; < Sanskrit avatāra a passing down, equivalent to ava down + -tāra a passing over

Examples from the web for avatars

People's own body map in their minds change when they play virtual reality games with different avatars.
Since then, my computer wallpaper has been sloths, my avatars in many places are also those absolutely charming creatures as well.
Actually, that problem would be easily solved through the use of avatars.
It was great to put names to faces, or human beings to avatars and usernames.
The genome combination of the avatars was another fascinating backstory detail.
They used the captured scientist and soldier avatars as hostages when the military approached.
To develop the computer-controlled avatars, researchers first recorded interactions between patients and nurses.
Imagine true-to-life avatars and objects being imported into virtual environments.
Rather, it's a system for building customized virtual rooms that other users' avatars can visit.
It could even enable players to control video game characters or avatars in virtual worlds with nothing but their thoughts.

British Dictionary definitions for avatars

avatar

/ˈævəˌtɑː/

noun

(Hinduism) the manifestation of a deity, notably Vishnu, in human, superhuman, or animal form

a visible manifestation or embodiment of an abstract concept; archetype

a movable image that represents a person in a virtual reality environment or in cyberspace

Word Origin

C18: from Sanskrit avatāra a going down, from avatarati he descends, from ava down + tarati he passes over

Word Origin and History for avatars

avatar

1784, "descent of a Hindu deity," from Sanskrit avatarana "descent" (of a deity to the earth in incarnate form), from ava- "down" + base of tarati "(he) crosses over," from PIE root *tere- "to cross over" (see through). In computer use, it seems to trace to the novel "Snowcrash" (1992) by Neal Stephenson.

avatars in Culture

avatar [(av-uh-tahr)]

In Hinduism, a god made visibly present, especially in a human form. The Buddha is considered an avatar of the god Vishnu.

Note: By extension, an “avatar” is any new embodiment of an old idea.