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noun

effigy

EH-fuhd-zhee

Effigy (noun) means a crude model or figure made to represent a person or group, often so it can be mocked, burned, or destroyed in protest. Example: “Protesters burned an effigy of the politician outside the parliament building.”

noun
1
A crude model or figure made to represent a person or group, often so it can be mocked, burned, or destroyed in protest.
"Protesters burned an effigy of the politician outside the parliament building."
2
A sculpture or image representing a specific person.
"The cathedral contains a stone effigy of the medieval king."

How to use effigy

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA dummy or statue made to look like someone, often used as a target for protest.

Common pairings
burn in effigy stone effigy

Word forms

effigies plural

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Protesters burned an _____ of the politician outside the parliament building.

Etymology

From Latin effigies, "likeness," from effingere, "to fashion" or "portray."

Origin: Latin

Related words

Rhymes for effigy

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Frequently asked questions

What does “effigy” mean?

The word “effigy” means a crude model or figure made to represent a person or group, often so it can be mocked, burned, or destroyed in protest. In plain terms, a dummy or statue made to look like someone, often used as a target for protest.

How do you pronounce “effigy”?

“Effigy” is pronounced EH-fuhd-zhee (/ˈɛfəd͡ʒi/ in IPA).

How do you use “effigy” in a sentence?

Here is “effigy” used in a sentence: “Protesters burned an effigy of the politician outside the parliament building.”

What part of speech is “effigy”?

“Effigy” is a noun.

Where does the word “effigy” come from?

The word “effigy” comes from Latin. From Latin effigies, "likeness," from effingere, "to fashion" or "portray.".

How many meanings does “effigy” have?

“Effigy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a crude model or figure made to represent a person or group, often so it can be mocked, burned, or destroyed in protest.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial