Chimera

/kai'miərə/
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Definition
  1. Noun:
    • A grotesque product of the imagination; a fanciful illusion or fabrication: Something hoped for or imagined that is impossible, fanciful, or wildly unrealistic.
    • (Greek Mythology) A fire-breathing female monster: A hybrid creature composed of parts from different animals, typically with a lion's head, a goat's body, and a serpent's tail.
Usage
  • The word "chimera" is used to describe an unrealistic hope, dream, or idea that cannot be achieved.
  • In mythology and literature, it refers to a specific monstrous creature or, by extension, any mythical or fictional hybrid creature.
  • It is a formal word, often used in academic, literary, or scientific contexts (e.g., genetic chimeras).
Examples
  • As an illusion or fantasy:
    • His plan for a perpetual motion machine was a chimera.
    • The promise of effortless wealth is a dangerous chimera.
  • As a mythological creature:
    • The hero Bellerophon was sent to slay the chimera.
    • Ancient art often depicts the chimera as a fearsome beast.
Advanced Usage
  • Scientific Context (Genetics/Biology): An organism containing cells with two or more distinct genotypes. This usage derives from the mythological concept of a single entity composed of different parts.
    • The patient was found to be a genetic chimera.
  • Literary/Artistic Context: Any fantastical or incongruous combination of elements.
    • The film was a chimera of film noir and romantic comedy.
Variants and Related Words
  • Chimeric (adjective): Of or like a chimera; fantastically visionary or improbable.
    • They pursued a chimeric plan for world peace.
  • Chimerical (adjective): Another form of the adjective, meaning imaginary, fanciful, or wildly unrealistic.
    • His chimerical schemes never came to fruition.
Synonyms
  • Illusion: A false idea or belief.
  • Fantasy: The faculty or activity of imagining impossible or improbable things.
  • Mirage: An optical illusion; something that appears real but is not.
  • Pipe dream: An unattainable or fanciful hope or scheme.
Idioms and Phrases
  • Pursue a chimera: To chase after something that is impossible or unreal.
    • Investing all his money in that scheme was like pursuing a chimera.
Noun
  1. a grotesque product of the imagination
  2. (Greek mythology) fire-breathing female monster with a lion's head and a goat's body and a serpent's tail; daughter of Typhon

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