1. Avatar
MULTIMÉDIA - (n.m.) Représentation de l'utilisateur dans un environnement virtuel.
La représentation peut être plus ou moins fidèle aux traits de l'utilisateur, c'est-à-dire que ce dernier peut, particulièrement
en
contexte d'interaction avec d'autres usagers, construire cette représentation de façon à atteindre ses objectifs d'interaction
plutôt que pour dépeindre la réalité.
Dictionnaire des arts médiatiques
© 1996, Groupe de recherche en arts médiatiques - UQAM
(http://www.comm.uqam.ca/~GRAM/C/term/mul/mult28.html)

2. Avatar: An interactive representation of a human in a virtual reality environment. [Bahorsky]
(http://www.its.bldrdoc.gov/projects/t1glossary2000/_avatar.html)

3. Avatar
The word avatar comes from the Hindu faith to describe the earthly manifestation of the god Vishnu
on earth. In cyberspace, an avatar is an instatiation of your body in the computerized medium. In
text-based virtual realities, such as MUDs, your avatar consists of a short description which is
displayed to other users who have their avatars 'look' at you. In graphical virtual realities, an
avatar is a three-dimensional construct representing your point of being in relation to the rest
of the virtual world.
(http://www.niu.edu/acad/gunkel/example/def6.htm)

( MUD: Short for Multi-User Dungeon (or Multi-User Dimension) a cyberspace where users can take on an identity in
the form of an avatar and interact with one another. Originally, MUDs tended to be adventure games played within
enormous old castles with hidden rooms, trap-doors, exotic beasts, and magical items. Nowadays, the term is used
more generically to refer to any cyberspace. MUDs are also known as 3-D worlds and chat worlds)
(http://webopedia.lycos.com/TERM/M/MUD.html)

4. Avatar
          (1) A graphical icon that represents a real person in a cyberspace system. When you enter the system, you can choose
          from a number of fanciful avatars. Sophisticated 3D avatars even change shape depending on what they are doing
          (e.g., walking, sitting, etc.).
          (http://webopedia.lycos.com/TERM/a/avatar.html)

5. Avatar
          A pictorial representation of a participant in a three-dimensional chat environment.The avatar is chosen by the user and

          may look like a bird, a fish, or some other colorful character.
          (http://www.computeruser.com/resources/dictionary/definition.html?lookup=744)