Lexical Definition

‎εἴδωλον‎ eídōlon (i'-do-lon) idol ^G:N-N
from ‎εἶδος‎

idol.

• an image (i.e. for worship)
• by implication, a heathen god, or (plural) the worship of such

Abbott-Smith

εἴδωλον, -ου, τό (< εἶδος), [in LXX for אֱלֹוהָּ, גְּלוּלִים, etc. ;]

1. in cl.
(a) a phantom, image, likeness;
(b) an image in the mind, an idea, fancy.
2. In LXX and NT,
(a) an image of a god, an idol (cf. Polyb., xxxi, 3, 13): Ac 7:41, I Co 12:2, Re 9:20;
(b) the false god or idol worshipped in an image (ICC, on I Th, l.c.): Ac 15:20, Ro 2:22, I Co 8:4, 7 10:19 II Co 6:18, I Th 1:9, I Jo 5:21.†

Abbott-Smith References

Liddell-Scott-Jones

εἴδωλον, τό,

(εἶδος) phantom, [Refs 8th c.BC+]; βροτῶν εἴδωλα καμόντων, of ghosts, [Refs 8th c.BC+]

__2 any unsubstantial form, εἴδωλον σκιᾶς [Refs 5th c.BC+]; εἴ. ἄλλως a mere form, [Refs]; αἰῶνος εἴ. [Refs 5th c.BC+]
__3 image reflected in a mirror or in water, [Refs 5th c.BC+]
__4 in the system of Epicurus, film given off by any object and conveying an impression to the eye, [Refs 4th c.BC+]
__II image in the mind, idea, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; phantom of the mind, fancy, [Refs 5th c.BC+]
__III image, likeness, γυναικὸς εἴ. χρύσεον [Refs 5th c.BC+]
__IV later, image of a god, idol, [LXX+NT+6th c.AD+]
__V εἴ. οὐράνια constellations, [Refs 3rd c.BC+]

_{LSJ Scripture Refs: LXX.2Kgs.17.12 ☩ 1Cor.12.2}