| ideal | 1. Existing in idea or thought; conceptional; intellectual; mental; as, ideal knowledge. 2. Reaching an imaginary standard of excellence; fit for a model; faultless; as, ideal beauty. "There will always be a wide interval between practical and ideal excellence." (Rambler) 3. Existing in fancy or imagination only; visionary; unreal. "Planning ideal common wealth." 4. Teaching the doctrine of idealism; as, the ideal theory or philosophy. 5. <mathematics> Imaginary. Synonym: Intellectual, mental, visionary, fanciful, imaginary, unreal, impracticable, utopian. Origin: L. Idealis: cf. F. Ideal. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| ideal alveolar gas | The uniform composition of gas that would exist in all alveoli for a given total respiratory exchange if all alveoli had identical ventilation-perfusion ratios and achieved perfect equilibrium with the blood leaving the pulmonary capillaries. (05 Mar 2000) |
| idealist | 1. One who idealizes; one who forms picturesque fancies; one given to romantic expectations. 2. One who holds the doctrine of idealism. Origin: Cf. F. Idealiste. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| ideality | 1. The quality or state of being ideal. 2. The capacity to form ideals of beauty or perfection. 3. <psychology> The conceptive faculty. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| beau ideal | A conception or image of consummate beauty, moral or physical, formed in the mind, free from all the deformities, defects, and blemishes seen in actual existence; an ideal or faultless standard or model. Origin: F. Beau beautiful + ideal ideal. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| ego-ideal | In psychoanalysis, a more or less conscious ideal of personal excellence toward which an individual strives, and that is derived from a composite image of the personal characteristics of a parent, public figure, or one or more other individuals the person admires. The part of the personality that comprises the goals, aspirations, and aims of the self, usually growing out of the emulation of a significant person with whom one has identified. (05 Mar 2000) |