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Chimera: meaning, definitions and examples

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chimera

 

[ kiˈmɪrə ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

mythology creature

A chimera is a mythical creature from ancient Greek mythology, often depicted as a fire-breathing creature composed of parts from various animals. The term is used to describe a hybrid creature, typically with the body and head of a lion, a goat's head protruding from its back, and a tail that ends with a snake's head.

Synonyms

fantasy, illusion, myth

Examples of usage

  • The chimera roamed the mountains, instilling fear in all who encountered it.
  • In modern literature, the chimera symbolizes unattainable dreams and aspirations.
  • The scientist created a chimera by blending genetic material from different species.
Context #2 | Noun

science genetics

In genetics, a chimera refers to an organism containing two or more genetically distinct cell lines that arise from different zygotes. This phenomenon can occur naturally or be artificially induced in laboratory settings for research purposes.

Synonyms

composite, hybrid, mosaic

Examples of usage

  • The researchers studied the chimera to understand the complexities of genetic diversity.
  • Chimeric organisms are used in various experiments to explore developmental processes.
  • The lab successfully created a chimera with cells from two different species.

Translations

Translations of the word "chimera" in other languages:

🇵🇹 quimera

🇮🇳 चिमेरा

🇩🇪 Chimäre

🇮🇩 kimera

🇺🇦 хімера

🇵🇱 chimera

🇯🇵 キメラ

🇫🇷 chimère

🇪🇸 quimera

🇹🇷 kimera

🇰🇷 키메라

🇸🇦 كيميرا

🇨🇿 chiméra

🇸🇰 chimaera

🇨🇳 奇美拉

🇸🇮 kimera

🇮🇸 kíméra

🇰🇿 химера

🇬🇪 ქიმერა

🇦🇿 kimera

🇲🇽 quimera

Etymology

The term 'chimera' originates from Greek mythology, where it was used to describe a monstrous creature that breathed fire and terrorized the land. The word comes from the Greek 'Chimaira', which means 'she-goat', reflecting the creature's goat-like head. Chimeras were considered omens of destruction and chaos, representing the blending of different animal traits into a single entity. In modern biology, the term has evolved to denote organisms with mixed genetic material, mirroring the original idea of diverse elements coalescing into one. As scientific studies on genetics and biotechnology have advanced, the usage of 'chimera' has become prevalent in scientific discourse, expanding beyond mythological significance to encompass a wide range of natural and experimental phenomena.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #26,412, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.