imago

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Pronunciation

• (RP) IPA: /ɪˈmeɪɡəʊ/, /ɪˈmɑːɡəʊ/
• (GA) IPA: /ɪˈmeɪɡoʊ/, /ɪˈmɑɡoʊ/

Noun

imago

1. (entomology) The final developmental stage of an insect after undergoing metamorphosis.
   • 1973, Patrick O'Brian, HMS Surprise

     ‘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?’

2. (psychology) An idealised concept of a loved one, formed in childhood and retained unconsciously into adult life, the basis for the psychological formation of personality archetypes.

Translations

• Italian: imago

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