# imago

> English word · Noun · IPA /ɪˈmeɪɡəʊ/ · frequency rank #64,437

## Definitions
1. The final developmental stage of an insect after undergoing metamorphosis.
2. 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.

## Etymology
From Latin imāgō. Doublet of image.
Compare typologically a Russian term for coordinate larva: личи́нка (ličínka) (akin to лик (lik)).

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/imago