in·car·na·tion 
/ˌɪnkɑɚˈneɪʃən/ noun
plural in·car·na·tions /ˌɪnkɑɚˈneɪʃən/ noun 1 [count] : one of a series of lives that a person is believed to have had in the past in some religions
▪ He claims that he was a Greek soldier in a previous incarnation. [=in a previous life; when he lived in the past as a different person] — often used figuratively ▪ In an earlier incarnation [=an earlier phase of her life] she was a rock musician. ▪ The TV and movie incarnations [=versions] of the story differ significantly. ▪ The software's latest incarnation [=version] includes many new features. — compare reincarnation 2 [count] : a person who represents a quality or idea
▪ She is the incarnation [=embodiment] of goodness. [=she is a very good person] 3 the Incarnation in the Christian religion : the belief in Jesus Christ as both God and a human being
▪ the doctrine of the Incarnation
▪ He claims that he was a Greek soldier in a previous incarnation. [=in a previous life; when he lived in the past as a different person] — often used figuratively ▪ In an earlier incarnation [=an earlier phase of her life] she was a rock musician. ▪ The TV and movie incarnations [=versions] of the story differ significantly. ▪ The software's latest incarnation [=version] includes many new features. — compare reincarnation
▪ She is the incarnation [=embodiment] of goodness. [=she is a very good person]
▪ the doctrine of the Incarnation
