[syn: eon, aeon]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
aeon \aeon\, AEon \[AE]"on\, n.
1. A period of immeasurable duration. See Eon.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Gnosticism) a divine power or nature emanating from the
Supreme Being and playing various roles in the operation
of the universe.
Syn: eon
[WordNet 1.5]
3. the longest division of geological time; two or more eras.
Syn: eon
[WordNet 1.5]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Eon \E"on\, aeon \[ae]"on\, n. [L. aeon, fr. Gr. a'iwn space or
period of time, lifetime, age; akin to L. aevum. See Age.]
1. An immeasurable or infinite space of time; eternity; a
long space of time; an age.
[1913 Webster]
The eons of geological time. --Huxley.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Gnostic Philos.) One of the embodiments of the divine
attributes of the Eternal Being.
[1913 Webster]
Among the higher [ae]ons are Mind, Reason, Power,
Truth, and Life. --Am. Cyc.
[1913 Webster]
Note: Eons were considered to be emanations sent forth by God
from the depths of His grand solitude to fulfill
various functions in the material and spiritual
universe.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
aeon
n 1: (Gnosticism) a divine power or nature emanating from the
Supreme Being and playing various roles in the operation of
the universe [syn: eon, aeon]
2: the longest division of geological time [syn: eon, aeon]
3: an immeasurably long period of time; "oh, that happened eons
ago" [syn: eon, aeon]