iconic English · revision 7516

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1656|origins=grc εἰκών}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /aɪˈkɒnɪk/ ''(UK)''; /aɪˈkɑnɪk/, /aɪˈkɒnɪk/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|la-lat|iconicus]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(NODE 1998) from Greek [[m|grc|εἰκονικός|tr=eikonikós|t=pertaining to an image]], from [[m|grc|εἰκών|tr=eikṓn|t=likeness, image, portrait]] (see [[icon]]).^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Of or pertaining to an image or portrait: 1656 in the OED, the 1650s in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In art it was applied from 1801 to memorial statues of victorious athletes and sovereigns, made in a conventional style.^(Etymonline)^(Collins 2023) Of an image used in worship it is from 1890,^(OED 1989) and in semiotics, resembling the thing signified, from 1939.^(OED 1989) COED applies the second sense to classical Greek statues of victorious athletes.^(COED 2004)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1656 – of an image.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1801 – of memorial statues.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1890 – of a sacred image.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1939 – in semiotics.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Of, relating to or having the character of an [[icon]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Of memorial statues, made in a conventional style.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[iconically]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[icon]]

+ * [[iconography]]

+ * [[iconoclast]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}