/ ˈnəʊʃənl; NAmE ˈnoʊ-/ adjective
( formal ) based on a guess, estimate or theory; not existing in reality
► no·tion·al·ly / ˈnəʊʃənəli; NAmE ˈnoʊ-/ adverb
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (in the Latin sense): from obsolete French , or from medieval Latin notionalis relating to an idea, from notio(n-) idea, from notus known, past participle of noscere .