Etymology of the English word idolum
the English word
idolumderived from the Latin word
idolum (idol-temple; idolatry, paganism; specter, apparition; image)
derived from the Greek word
eidolon, εἴδωλον (an image (for worship); by implication, a heathen god, or (plural) the worship of such)
derived from the Greek word
eidos, εἶδος (form, likeness, appearance, resemblance; a view; form )
derived from the Proto-Indo-European root
*weid-Date
The earliest known usage of idolum in English dates from the 17th century.
