/fig"meuhnt/ , n.
1. a mere product of mental invention; a fantastic notion: The noises in the attic were just a figment of his imagination.
2. a feigned, invented, or imagined story, theory, etc.: biographical and historical figments.
[ 1400-50; late ME figmentum something made or feigned, equiv. to fig- (base of fingere to mold, feign) + -mentum -MENT ]
Syn. 2. See fiction .