effigy

views updated May 09 2018

ef·fi·gy / ˈefijē/ • n. (pl. -gies) a sculpture or model of a person: coins bearing the effigy of Maria Theresa of Austria. ∎  a roughly made model of a particular person, made in order to be damaged or destroyed as a protest or expression of anger: the senator was burned in effigy.ORIGIN: mid 16th cent.: from Latin effigies, from effingere ‘to fashion (artistically),’ from ex- ‘out’ + fingere ‘to shape.’

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

effigy

views updated May 18 2018

effigy XVIII (effigies sg. XVI–XIX). — L. effigiēs, f. effig-, stem of effingere, f. EF- + fingere fashion.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

effigy

views updated May 29 2018

effigy. Sculptured representation of a figure, normally shown clothed or in armour, lying on its back on a tomb-chest.

Bibliography

Crossley (1921);
Esdaile (1946);
W. Papworth (1852)

A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture JAMES STEVENS CURL

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