Question

avatar noun Avatar derives from a Sanskrit word meaning "descent," and when it first appeared in English in the late 18th century, it referred to the descent of a deity to the earth—typically, the incarnation in earthly form of Vishnu or another Hindu deity. It later came to refer to any incarnation in human form, and then to any embodiment (such as that of a concept or philosophy), whether or not in the form of a person. In the age of technology, avatar has developed another sense—it can now be used for the image that a person chooses as his or her "embodiment" in an electronic medium. 1 : the incarnation of a Hindu deity (as Vishnu)2 a : an incarnation in human formb : an embodiment (as of a concept or philosophy) often in a person3 : an electronic image that represents and is manipulated by a computer user (as in a computer game)

Accepted Answer

April 25, 2008 AV-uh-tar Before they started playing the game, Aaron and Kyle customized their avatars.

Word	avatar
Date	April 25, 2008
Type	noun
Syllables	AV-uh-tar
Etymology	Avatar derives from a Sanskrit word meaning "descent," and when it first appeared in English in the late 18th century, it referred to the descent of a deity to the earth—typically, the incarnation in earthly form of Vishnu or another Hindu deity. It later came to refer to any incarnation in human form, and then to any embodiment (such as that of a concept or philosophy), whether or not in the form of a person. In the age of technology, avatar has developed another sense—it can now be used for the image that a person chooses as his or her "embodiment" in an electronic medium.
Examples	Before they started playing the game, Aaron and Kyle customized their avatars.
Definition	1 : the incarnation of a Hindu deity (as Vishnu) 2 a : an incarnation in human form b : an embodiment (as of a concept or philosophy) often in a person 3 : an electronic image that represents and is manipulated by a computer user (as in a computer game)

Incarnation Avatar Form Deity Hindu Human Embodiment Concept