Imaginary \Im*ag"i*na*ry\, a. [L. imaginarius: cf. F.
imaginaire.]
Existing only in imagination or fancy; not real; fancied;
visionary; ideal.
Wilt thou add to all the griefs I suffer Imaginary ills
and fancied tortures? --Addison.
Imaginary calculus See under Calculus.
Imaginary expression or quantity (Alg.), an algebraic
expression which involves the impossible operation of
taking the square root of a negative quantity; as,
[root]-9, a + b [root]-1.
Imaginary points, lines, surfaces, etc. (Geom.),
points, lines, surfaces, etc., imagined to exist, although
by reason of certain changes of a figure they have in fact
ceased to have a real existence.
Syn: Ideal; fanciful; chimerical; visionary; fancied; unreal;
illusive.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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