noun
incarnation
in-kar-NAY-shun/ˌɪnkɑːrˈneɪʃn/
A concrete bodily form in which something exists.
The dancer is a living incarnation of grace.
Etymology
Originally the act of being “made flesh,” especially God becoming human in Christ, incarnation came to name the resulting embodiment. It thus denotes a living form in which a spirit, person, or idea is expressed.
In context
his incarnation after his death and resurrection – a lot of people think of Jesus as being God in the flesh while he’s here on earth walking and talking and breathing
More examples
- To his grandchildren, he is the incarnation of kindness.
- She believes she was a bird in a previous incarnation.
- The villain is an incarnation of pure evil.
Forms
incarnation · incarnations
incarnate adjective — Embodied in a concrete physical form.
Similar words
- embodiment
- Emphasizes concrete expression of a quality, not necessarily bodily existence.
- personification
- Specifically presents an abstract quality as a person.