Definition of "avatar" []

• The incarnation of a Hindu deity, especially Vishnu, in human or animal form. (noun)
• An embodiment, as of a quality or concept; an archetype: the very avatar of cunning. (noun)
• A temporary manifestation or aspect of a continuing entity: occultism in its present avatar. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "* @param string $avatar Users assigned avatar name"
• "Recently, the term avatar has been used to signify "an interactive representation of a human in a virtual reality environment","
• "Where even the word avatar is Asian (Hindu). addition to the Chinese characters above the title."