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effigy

 - 4 dictionary results

ef⋅fi⋅gy

  [ef-i-jee]
Use effigy in a Sentence
–noun, plural -gies.
1. a representation or image, esp. sculptured, as on a monument.
2. a crude representation of someone disliked, used for purposes of ridicule.
—Idiom
3. in effigy, in public view in the form of an effigy: a leader hanged in effigy by the mob.
Origin:
1530–40; (< MF) < L effigia, equiv. to effig- (ef- ef- + fig- shape, form; see figure ) + -ia -y 3

Related forms:
ef⋅fig⋅i⋅al  [i-fij-ee-uhl] , adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To effigy
ef·fi·gy   (ěf'ə-jē)   
n.   pl. ef·fi·gies

  1. A crude figure or dummy representing a hated person or group.

  2. A likeness or image, especially of a person.


[French effigie, from Latin effigiēs, likeness, from effingere, to portray : ex-, ex- + fingere, to shape; see dheigh- in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

effigy 
1539, from L. effigies "copy or imitation of something, likeness," related to effingere "mold, fashion, portray," from ex- "out" + fingere "to form, shape." The Latin word was regarded as plural and the -s was lopped off by 18c.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Idioms & Phrases

effigy

see in effigy.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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