Imago

Pronunciation

• RP IPA: /ɪˈmeɪɡəʊ/, IPA: /ɪˈmɑːɡəʊ/

Origin

From Latin imāgō.

Full definition of imago

Noun

1. The final developmental stage of an insect after undergoing metamorphosis.
• 1973: ‘But still,’ he said to himself, drawing the metamorphoses of a red admiral, egg, caterpillar, chrysalis and imago on his pad, ‘what shall I say to him when we meet?’ — Patrick O'Brian, HMS Surprise
2. An idealised concept of a loved one, formed in childhood and retained unaltered in adult life.

Anagrams

• amigo