iconoclast
UK[aɪˈkɒnəklæst]US[aɪˈkɑːnəklæst]
n
A person who attacks or criticizes cherished beliefs or established institutions.
n
(Historical) A person who destroys religious images or opposes their veneration.
Morpheme Breakdown
icono
clast
icono
image
clast
breaker
Etymology
The word 'iconoclast' has a vivid and literal origin story. It is formed from two Greek elements: eikōn (image, likeness) and klastēs (breaker). It entered English via Medieval Latin iconoclastes, initially referring specifically to individuals in the 8th- and 9th-century Byzantine Empire who destroyed religious icons, opposing their use in worship. The term's semantic logic is perfectly transparent: an image-breaker. Over centuries, this concrete meaning broadened metaphorically. The "images" under attack evolved from physical idols to encompass cherished but intangible ideas, traditions, and institutions, giving us the modern sense of a person who challenges orthodox beliefs.
Analysis
Structure: icono (image) + clast (breaker)
- icono: From Greek eikōn (image, likeness). In this word, it functions as the base meaning "image" or "likeness."
- clast: From Greek klastēs (breaker), from klan (to break). In this word, it functions as an agent noun suffix meaning "one who breaks."
Examples
The radical artist was considered an iconoclast for challenging the museum's traditional values.
In history class, we learned about the Byzantine iconoclasts who opposed the use of religious icons.
As a scientific iconoclast, her theories often put her at odds with the academic establishment.