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Immortalized Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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immortalized

[ɪˈmɔːr.təl.aɪzd ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

artistic representation

To immortalize means to cause someone or something to be remembered or celebrated forever, often through art, literature, or other forms of expression. This term is commonly used when referring to a person who has made a significant impact or contribution that deserves lasting recognition. For example, an artist might immortalize a cultural icon through a painting or a writer might do so in a biography. The act of immortalization typically transcends time, ensuring that the subject remains in the public consciousness.

Synonyms

commemorate, eternalize, memorialize, preserve.

Examples of usage

  • The filmmaker immortalized the hero's story on the big screen.
  • Her achievements were immortalized in a biography that inspired many.
  • The statue immortalizes the founder of the city.
  • Many poems have immortalized the beauty of nature.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Cultural Significance

  • In many cultures, great leaders and artists are immortalized through monuments, helping their legacy endure.
  • Literature often immortalizes characters, ensuring that their stories are told across generations.
  • The practice of naming streets or buildings after notable figures is a way communities immortalize their contributions.

Art and Literature

  • Famous paintings often immortalize historical figures, capturing their likeness and story for viewers to contemplate.
  • Poets and authors frequently immortalize love, nature, and life's moments, making their ideas timeless.
  • Shakespeare's works have immortalized many figures and themes, influencing literature for centuries.

Psychology

  • Research suggests that storytelling can create a sense of immortality, as it allows individuals to live on through narratives.
  • The concept of being immortalized can provide comfort in bereavement, as people find solace in honoring lost loved ones.
  • Psychologically, the desire for immortality drives many human actions, including creating art, writing, and building legacies.

Pop Culture

  • In movies, characters often achieve immortality by becoming legendary heroes, ensuring their tales are told for ages.
  • The practice of memorializing celebrities in media keeps their influence alive, allowing fans to connect with them long after they are gone.
  • Musicians often immortalize emotions through their songs, creating tracks that resonate and are replayed for years.

Origin of 'immortalized'

Main points about word origin

  • The term comes from the Latin word 'immortalis', meaning 'not subject to death'.
  • It blends 'im-' (not) with 'mortalis' (mortal), which focuses on the idea of escaping the fate of dying.
  • The first recorded use in English dates back to the late 16th century, commonly used in literature and art.

The word 'immortalize' comes from the Latin root 'immortal', which literally means 'not subject to death'. It is formed from the prefix 'im-', meaning 'not', and 'mortal', derived from 'mors', meaning 'death'. The suffix '-ize' has been used in English since the 16th century to turn nouns into verbs, implying the action of imparting the quality described by the root word. The concept of immortalization can be traced back to ancient cultures that sought to honor their gods, heroes, and significant figures through monuments, literature, and oral traditions. Over time, the term evolved to encompass a broader range of subjects, from historical figures to artistic works, emphasizing the desire to ensure that certain individuals or moments endure beyond the passage of time.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #23,954, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.