- Today's Word
Iconoclast
[eye-KON-uh-klast]
Definition
- (noun) A person who attacks or criticizes cherished beliefs, traditional institutions, or long-established practices. It refers to someone who challenges the status quo, often in a bold or revolutionary manner.
Example
As an iconoclast in the art world, the young painter rejected traditional techniques and created controversial pieces that challenged viewers’ perceptions of what constitutes art.
Fun Fact
The term “iconoclast” originally referred to people who destroyed religious images or opposed their veneration. It comes from the Greek words “eikon” (image) and “klastes” (breaker). The original iconoclasts were active in the 8th and 9th centuries in the Byzantine Empire, destroying religious icons they considered idolatrous. Over time, the word’s meaning broadened to include anyone who challenges established beliefs or institutions, not just in a religious context but in any field of endeavor.
(adjective) Found or appearing everywhere simultaneously; seeming to be present in all places at once.
Smartphones have become so ubiquitous that it’s now more unusual to spot someone without one than with one.
Ubiquitous derives from the Latin ubique, meaning “everywhere,” combined with the suffix -ous denoting a quality or characteristic. The Latin root breaks down further into ubi (“where”) and que (“and, also”) — essentially meaning “and wherever else.” The word entered English in the 19th century, initially used in theological discussions about God’s omnipresence before expanding into general use.