i|de|al

i|de|al «y DEE uhl», noun, adjective.

–n.

1. a perfect type; model to be imitated; what one would wish to be: »

Her mother is her ideal.

SYNONYM(S): example, pattern.

2. an ideal end; goal: »

Religion holds up high ideals for us to follow. The severest challenge facing American society…is to make the practice of American life and the processes of American institutions conform reasonably to those ideals of liberty and equality and justice so often and so ringingly proclaimed (Tom Wicker).

–adj.

1. just as one would wish; perfect: »

A warm, sunny day is ideal for a picnic.

2. existing only in thought; imaginary: »

A point without length, breadth, or thickness is an ideal object.

3. not practical; visionary. SYNONYM(S): unreal, fanciful.

4. having to do with ideas; representing an idea.

5. Philosophy. regarding ideas as the only reality.

╂[< Late Latin ideālis < Latin idea idea]

–i|de´al|ness, noun.