avatar

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. n. The incarnation of a Hindu deity, especially Vishnu, in human or animal form.
2. n. An embodiment, as of a quality or concept; an archetype: the very avatar of cunning.
3. n. A temporary manifestation or aspect of a continuing entity: occultism in its present avatar.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. In Hindu myth., the descent of a deity to the earth in an incarnate form or some manifest shape; the incarnation of a god.
2. n. Hence A remarkable appearance, manifestation, or embodiment of any kind; a descent into a lower sphere; an adorable or wonderful exhibition of an abstract idea, principle, etc., in concrete form: as, “The Irish Avatar” (a poem by Byron on a visit of George IV. to Ireland); “the avatar of mathematics,”

Wiktionary

1. n. In Hinduism the incarnation of a deity, particularly Vishnu.
2. n. The physical embodiment of an idea or concept; a personification.
3. n. A digital representation or handle of a person or being; often, it can take on any of various forms, as a participant chooses. i.e. 3D, animated, photo, sketch

GNU Webster's 1913

1. n. (Hindu Myth.) The descent of a deity to earth, and his incarnation as a man or an animal; -- chiefly associated with the incarnations of Vishnu.
2. n. An incarnation, embodiment or personification of a principle, quality, or attitude; -- used of people, mostly in a positive sense as a manifestation of a behavior or character worthy of admiration.

WordNet 3.0

1. n. a new personification of a familiar idea
2. n. the manifestation of a Hindu deity (especially Vishnu) in human or superhuman or animal form