Words / B2

EF-ij-ee/ˈefɪdʒi/

An effigy is a model of a person, often burned or hanged as a protest: burn in effigy; an effigy of. Dummy and figure are everyday; statue is lasting public art, not usually burned. Date the effigy in the news source, then the named figure. Mix-up: effigy vs elegy (a poem for the dead); effigy vs efficiency; do not write effigy for a portrait painting unless the source uses the word.

Meaning

A model of a person, often burned or hanged as a protest (burn in effigy).

Examples

• “Date the effigy in the news source, then the named figure, the citizenship paper said.”
• “A Guy Fawkes effigy featured in the tradition case, which is still a named custom — quote the date.”

Good to know

an effigy of; burn in effigy. Close: dummy / figure. Contrast: statue. Trap: elegy / a painting unless so named. Citizenship, history, and RS. A protest dummy — name who it stands for and the year.

Near in meaning

dummy, figure, likeness

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