Wiktionary

iconoclast

English

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WOTD – 20 October 2006
 
The Calvinist Iconoclastic Riot of August 20, 1566

Etymology

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Borrowed from French iconoclaste and its etymon Medieval Latin īconoclastēs, from Byzantine Greek εἰκονοκλάστης (eikonoklástēs, literally “image breaker”).[1][2] By surface analysis, icono- +‎ -clast.

Pronunciation

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Noun

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iconoclast (plural iconoclasts)

  1. (historical, Christianity) One who destroys religious images or icons, especially an opponent of the Orthodox Church in the 8th and 9th centuries, or a Puritan during the European Reformation.
    Antonyms: iconodule, iconophile
    • 2004, Eugene TeSelle, World Book Encyclopedia, 2004 edition (CD), Iconoclast:
      In the days of the early Christian church, people who opposed the veneration (reverence) of images were called iconoclasts.
  2. One who opposes orthodoxy and religion; one who adheres to the doctrine of iconoclasm.
    Synonym: heretic
    Antonym: traditionalist
    • 2010 The Handbook of Texas Online, William Cowper Brann, Texas State Historical Association, Austin [1]:
      In February 1895 he [William Cowper Brann, 1855-1898 ] revived publication of the Iconoclast. This time it was successful and eventually attained a circulation of 100,000. Brann took obvious relish in directing his stinging attacks upon institutions and persons he considered to be hypocritical or overly sanctimonious.
  3. (by extension) One who attacks cherished beliefs; a maverick.
    Synonyms: nonconformist, rebel
    Antonyms: traditionalist, conformist, devotee
    • 2007 November 29, Megan McArdle, “Ugly questions”, in The Atlantic‎[2]:
      After all, the fact that any discussion of the possibility is greeted with hysterical revulsion guarantees that only two types of people will take the "pro" side in public: fearless iconoclasts who do not care what anyone thinks of them; and racists.
    • 2016 April 21, Spencer Kornhaber, “Prince the Immortal”, in The Atlantic‎[3]:
      Coming so soon after the death of David Bowie, it’s a moment to consider how deeply important iconoclasts are to the evolution of a culture. Do they change the world by trying to change it, or do they change the world through the radical act of simply being themselves?
    • 2020 February 28, George Johnson, “Freeman Dyson, Math Genius Turned Technological Visionary, Dies at 96”, in The New York Times‎[4], →ISSN:
      Relishing the role of iconoclast, he confounded the scientific establishment by dismissing the consensus about the perils of man-made climate change as “tribal group-thinking.”
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Translations

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The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.
Translations to be checked

See also

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References

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  1. ^ “iconoclast, n. (and adj.)”, in OED Online  ⁠, Oxford: Oxford University Press, launched 2000.
  2. ^ Douglas Harper (2001–2026), “iconoclast (n.)”, in Online Etymology Dictionary.

Romanian

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Etymology

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Borrowed from French iconoclaste.

Noun

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iconoclast m (plural iconoclaști, feminine equivalent iconoclastă)

  1. iconoclast

Declension

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singular plural
indefinite definite indefinite definite
nominative-accusative iconoclast iconoclastul iconoclaști iconoclaștii
genitive-dative iconoclast iconoclastului iconoclaști iconoclaștilor
vocative iconoclastule iconoclaștilor
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