2006-06-27 07:17:15 · 8 answers · asked by Tom 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
av·a·tar ( P ) Pronunciation Key (v-tär)
n.
The incarnation of a Hindu deity, especially Vishnu, in human or animal form.
An embodiment, as of a quality or concept; an archetype: the very avatar of cunning.
A temporary manifestation or aspect of a continuing entity: occultism in its present avatar.
[Sanskrit avatra, descent (of a deity from heaven), avatar : ava, down + tarati, he crosses; see ter-2 in Indo-European Roots.]
2006-06-27 07:22:14 · answer #1 · answered by insert_name_here 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Avatar is a word that comes from Sanskrit: avatÄra ‘descent,’ from ava ‘down’ + tar- ‘to cross.’
In Hinduism, it's a manifestation of a deity or released soul in bodily form on earth; an incarnate divine teacher.
In computing, it's a movable icon representing a person in cyberspace or virtual reality graphics.
2006-06-27 14:21:47 · answer #2 · answered by Karin 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
avatar
The incarnation of a Hindu deity, especially Vishnu, in human or animal form.
An embodiment, as of a quality or concept; an archetype: the very avatar of cunning.
A temporary manifestation or aspect of a continuing entity: occultism in its present avatar.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Sanskrit avatra, descent (of a deity from heaven), avatar : ava, down + tarati, he crosses; see ter-2 in Indo-European Roots.]
n 1: a new personification of a familiar idea; "the embodiment of hope"; "the incarnation of evil"; "the very avatar of cunning" [syn: embodiment, incarnation] 2: the manifestation of a Hindu deity (especially Vishnu) in human or superhuman or animal form; "the Buddha is considered an avatar of the god Vishnu"
n. Syn. [in Hindu mythology, the incarnation of a god]
2006-06-27 14:20:11 · answer #3 · answered by ~*~SugarHigh~*~ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know it means "descent" (of a God, from up in heaven down to earth) in Sanskrit. I don't know the root word. I can look up it, however:
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=avatar
See? Now I know. And now you know, too!
2006-06-27 14:29:01 · answer #4 · answered by sauwelios@yahoo.com 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sanskrit: avatara- descent
It means incarnation.
2006-06-27 14:22:15 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here's the wikipedia explaination of it.
2006-06-27 14:21:41 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree to SugarHigh
2006-06-27 14:28:34 · answer #7 · answered by jiggoo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Little kids with special powers..... you know, the cartoon.
2006-06-27 14:21:14 · answer #8 · answered by justwondering 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋