idol

Etymology

From Middle English ydole, from Old French idole, from Latin idolum, from Ancient Greek εἴδωλον (eídōlon, “image, idol”), from εἶδος (eîdos, “form”), from Proto-Indo-European *wéydos (“seeing, image”), from *weyd- (“to see”). Doublet of eidolon, idolum, and idea.

noun

1. A graven image or representation of anything that is revered, or believed to convey spiritual power.
   There's a one-eyed yellow idol to the north of Kathmandu, There's a little marble cross below the town; There's a broken-hearted woman tends the grave of Mad Carew, And the Yellow God forever gazes down. 1911, J. Milton Hayes, The Green Eye of the Little Yellow God
2. A cultural icon, or especially popular person.
3. (Asia, originally Japan) A popular entertainer, usually young, captivating and attractive, and often female, with an image of being close to fans.
   '26 January 2016, Mariko Oi, The dark side of Asia’s pop music industry - BBC News They are known as "idols" and their job is "to sell dreams". For decades, the young pop stars of Japan and South Korea have been the envy of teenagers.
4. (obsolete) An eidolon or phantom; something misleading or elusive.