idolatrous

The word 'idolatrous' is built upon the noun 'idol', which originates from the Greek eidōlon, meaning a semblance, image, or phantom. This term passed into Latin as īdōlum and into Old English, retaining its core meaning of a physical representation of a deity. The suffixal complex -atr- (from Latin -ātrum) historically formed nouns of state or agency, which, when combined with the adjectival suffix -ous (meaning 'full of'), creates the modern adjective. Thus, 'idolatrous' literally means 'full of the state of idol-worship,' evolving from the concrete act of venerating physical idols to describe any form of excessive or blind devotion, whether religious or secular.

Structure: idol + atr + ous idol: From Greek eidōlon (image, phantom, idol). The core semantic unit. atr: A variant of the suffix -ater, from Latin -ātrum, often used to form nouns denoting agency or condition. Here, it combines with the preceding element. ous: From Latin -ōsus (full of, characterized by). An adjective-forming suffix.