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An icon which represents a user in a virtual reality/Internet setting, currently attempted with varying success. The term is adopted from Neal Stephenson; another word used for the same concept is Rudy Rucker's term "tuxedo."
First used from an Internet perspective in 1992 in SNOW CRASH, by Neal Stephenson, in one of those self-fulfilling SF prophecies. Stephenson got the name from the Hindu concept of avatars, which are the personification of various deities or entities.
by LarstaiT November 07, 2003
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1. In Hinduism, and avatar (or avatara) is a deity who descends from heaven to earth to help humanity and restore balance between good and bad during a period of great evil.

2. In the amazing American Nickelodeon TV show Avater: the last airbender (ATLA) created by Mike Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko (called "Bryke" by ATLA fans), an avatar is a person who's able to bend and master all the four elements and thereby keeps balance into the world. ATLA was heavily influenced by Asian cultures, the definition of an avatar in the show is based on and derived from the definition of an avatar in Hinduism.

3. an Avatar in the 2009 James Cameron movie is a Na'vi-human hybrid. Basically, it's a Na'vi (original inhabitants of a fictional planet called "Pandora") who's mentally controlled by a genetically matching human.
1. Krishna is one of the most widely known Hindu avatars.

2. Aang has to master all four elements and defeat the Fire Lord because he is the avatar.

3. Humans created avatars to improve their relations with the Na'vi.
by Xiao Ling February 14, 2010
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two dogs fighting over treats is the same thing as two dudes fighting over an avatar.
by rtrain 5000 December 27, 2009
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1) A small picture beneath a persons username in posts on forums.
2) Some kind of incarnation of a god.
1) user's avatar is a piece of crap.
2) Fear the Avatar of Zeus!
by Anon. October 03, 2003
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One of the many incarnations of the Hindu God, Shiva / Vishnu / Brahma
I'm not going to steal that watch - surely an avatar will come to smite me!
by Roximily September 16, 2004
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The Incarnation Of A Great And Powerful God, One Who Has Knowledge Over All Things And Beings And Is Supreme.
webavatar is god
by Harry Bawlz December 18, 2003
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1. A cool (or not cool) pic that appears below your name on forum sites.
2. The personification of something infinite, usually a god.
1. He had a Boohbah avatar so I hired a hitman to kill him.
2. My friends say he's the Avatar of Apollo because he's so sexy.
by Cortana Dragoon June 17, 2005
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