adj. & n.
--adj.
1. a answering to one's highest conception. b perfect or supremely excellent.
2 a existing only in idea. b visionary.
3 embodying an idea.
4 relating to or consisting of ideas; dependent on the mind.
--n.
1. a perfect type, or a conception of this.
2 an actual thing as a standard for imitation.
Phrases and idioms:
ideal gas a hypothetical gas consisting of molecules occupying negligible space and without attraction for each other, thereby obeying simple laws.
Derivatives:
ideally adv.
Etymology: ME f. F id{eacute}al f. LL idealis (as IDEA)