n.
Pronunciation: ī - ' d ē (- ə )l, ' ī - ˌ
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English ydeall, from Late Latin idealis, from Latin idea
Date: 15th century
1 : existing as an archetypal idea
2 a : existing as a mental image or in fancy or imagination only broadly : lacking practicality b : relating to or constituting mental images, ideas, or conceptions
3 a : of, relating to, or embodying an ideal < ideal beauty> b : conforming exactly to an ideal, law, or standard : PERFECT <an ideal gas> ― compare REAL 2b(3)
4 : of or relating to philosophical idealism