#106 avatar

avatar- the manifestation of a diety, notably Vishnu, in human, superhuman, or animal form; a visible manifestation or embodiment of an abstract concept; archetype

- C18 from Sanskrit avatara-going down, descending

There's a screech, a nerve-wracking caterwauling, and Manni yells, bright parallel blood-tracks on his arm -- the avatar is a real fleshbody in its own right, with an autonomic control system that isn't going to give up without a fight, whatever its vastly larger exocortex thinks -- but Manni's scythe slashes, and there's a horrible bubbling noise and a spray of blood as the pussy-cat thing goes flying. ~ Asimov

Of course, the movie Avatar comes to mind here. The protagonist receives a second, computer enhanced identity which enables him to communicate with the sensitive aboriginals.

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