imago

noun

plural imagoes or imagines i-ˈmā-gə-ˌnēz How to pronounce imago (audio) -ˈmä- How to pronounce imago (audio)
-ˈmā-jə-,
-ˈma-
1
: an insect in its final, adult, sexually mature, and typically winged state
2
: an idealized mental image of another person or the self

Examples of imago in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Which brings her back to imago Dei. San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Sep. 2020 Social media has a way of distorting us into an imago of our worst, most extravagantly emotional selves. WIRED, 16 Nov. 2022 The pop star as pure illusion, pure imago, pure energy state. James Parker, The Atlantic, 14 Oct. 2022 Other species, such as grasshoppers and dragonflies, experience incomplete, or simple, metamorphosis, which involves three life stages—egg, larva or nymph, and adult or imago. Liz Langley, National Geographic, 11 Aug. 2020 Newbell, who is Black, had spoken about imago Dei -- the idea that all humans, of all races, are made in the image and likeness of God. Daniel Burke, CNN, 10 July 2020

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin imāgō, going back to Latin imāgin-, imāgō "representation, semblance, image entry 1"

Note: As a descriptive term for insects apparently introduced by linnaeus in Systema naturae, 12th edition, vol. 1, part 2 (Stockholm, 1767), p. 535. Linnaeus's conception was that the imago was the true representation of the creature, the earlier stages of larva (Latin larva, taken to mean "ghost") and pupa (Latin pūpa "doll") being in a sense illusory.

First Known Use

1787, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of imago was in 1787

Dictionary Entries Near imago

Cite this Entry

“Imago.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imago. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

imago

noun
plural imagoes or imagines -ˈā-gə-ˌnēz How to pronounce imago (audio)
-ˈäg-ə-
: an insect in its final adult, sexually mature, and usually winged state
imaginal
-ˈā-gən-ᵊl
-äg-ən-
adjective

Medical Definition

imago

noun
plural imagoes or imagines -ˈā-gə-ˌnēz How to pronounce imago (audio) -ˈäg-ə- How to pronounce imago (audio)
1
: an insect in its final, adult, sexually mature, and typically winged state
2

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