idolatry

the word idolatry is a compound formed from the greek-derived elements eidōlon ("image, idol") and -latreia ("worship"). it entered english via old french idolatrie and ecclesiastical latin idololatria, which itself was a direct borrowing from the greek eidōlolatreia. the term was originally a strictly religious concept in christian and jewish contexts, condemning the worship of physical images, which were seen as false gods. over time, its meaning expanded metaphorically to denote any excessive or blind devotion to a person, idea, or object, thus carrying the logic from literal religious worship to figurative, secular adoration.