incarnate
[ɪnˈkɑːrneɪt (adjective), ɪnˈkɑːrneɪt (verb)]
adjective, verb
encarnado, incarnado, personificado
1. (adjective) embodied in flesh; having a bodily form, especially human form
The devil incarnate walked into the room.
O diabo encarnado entrou na sala.
2. (adjective) personified or represented in physical form; an actual or living example of something
She is kindness incarnate.
Ela é a gentileza personificada.
3. (verb) to give a bodily or physical form to; to embody or represent in flesh
The actor incarnates the character of Hamlet.
O ator encarna o personagem de Hamlet.
4. (verb) to be the living embodiment of a quality or idea
He incarnates the spirit of innovation.
Ele encarna o espírito da inovação.
In Brazilian culture, 'incarnate' is frequently used in religious contexts, particularly in Spiritism (Espiritismo) and Catholicism when discussing the incarnation of Christ or reincarnation concepts. In American English, the phrase 'X incarnate' is extremely common in casual speech to describe someone as the perfect embodiment of a quality. The word carries significant weight in both religious and secular contexts.
NYC Slang
the real deal, the genuine article, the living embodiment
Related Idioms & Phrases
the devil incarnate - someone or something extremely evil or difficult
evil incarnate - pure evil in human form
beauty incarnate - the perfect example of beauty
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