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Chimerical: meaning, definitions and examples

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chimerical

 

[kɪˈmɛrɪkəl ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

imaginative concept

Chimerical refers to something that is wildly fanciful or imaginative, often to the point of being unrealistic or impossible. It is used to describe things that exist only in dreams or fantasies, making them unattainable in reality.

Synonyms

dreamlike, fantastical, illusory, mythical.

Examples of usage

  • Her chimerical plans for a perfect utopia were met with skepticism.
  • The scientist's chimerical ideas about time travel sparked much debate.
  • His chimerical vision of a world without borders seemed naïve.
Context #2 | Adjective

impossible ideals

Chimerical can also describe something that is formed from various parts or ideas, often implying a lack of cohesion or reality. This usage emphasizes the deceptive nature of such constructs.

Synonyms

abstract, incoherent, unrealistic.

Examples of usage

  • Her political platform was a chimerical mixture of conflicting ideas.
  • The project was criticized for being a chimerical fantasy rather than a feasible plan.
  • His chimerical artwork combined elements from different cultures in an incoherent way.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from 'chimera,' a mythical creature from Greek mythology, often depicted as a lion with a goat's head and a serpent's tail.
  • The term started being used in English in the late 17th century to describe fantastical or imaginary ideas.

Mythology

  • In Greek myths, the chimera was a fierce monster that breathed fire and terrorized the land, representing chaotic combinations of different beings.
  • The term chimerical relates to how these mythical creatures symbolize illusions and impossible dreams.

Literature

  • Chimerical has been used in literature to describe characters and settings that exist in the realm of fantasy or the surreal.
  • Authors like Lewis Carroll and Franz Kafka employed chimerical elements to explore themes of reality versus imagination.

Pop Culture

  • In modern entertainment, chimerical elements are common in fantasy films and books, creating worlds filled with unusual creatures and magic.
  • Video games often incorporate chimerical aspects, allowing players to explore fantastical realms that defy the laws of nature.

Science

  • In genetics, a chimeric organism contains cells from different individuals, often leading to bizarre and unique traits, mirroring the word's meaning.
  • Chimeric proteins, which combine different protein sequences, are used in biotechnology and research to create novel functions.

Translations

Translations of the word "chimerical" in other languages:

🇵🇹 quimérico

🇮🇳 कल्पनाशील

🇩🇪 chimerisch

🇮🇩 khayalan

🇺🇦 химерний

🇵🇱 chimeralny

🇯🇵 幻想的な

🇫🇷 chimérique

🇪🇸 quimérico

🇹🇷 hayali

🇰🇷 환상적인

🇸🇦 خيالي

🇨🇿 chimérický

🇸🇰 chimerický

🇨🇳 虚构的

🇸🇮 kimeričen

🇮🇸 kímrískur

🇰🇿 химерлі

🇬🇪 ხიმერული

🇦🇿 ximerik

🇲🇽 quimérico