IDEAL


Meaning of IDEAL in English

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

Merriam Webster Collegiate English Dictionary.      Merriam Webster - Энциклопедический словарь английского языка.