Dictionary
chimera
noun chi·me·ra \kī-ˈmir-ə, kə-\
Chimera : a monster from Greek mythology that breathes fire and has a lion's head, a goat's body, and a snake's tail
: something that exists only in the imagination and is not possible in reality
Full Definition of CHIMERA
1
a capitalized : a fire-breathing she-monster in Greek mythology having a lion's head, a goat's body, and a serpent's tail b : an imaginary monster compounded of incongruous parts
2
: an illusion or fabrication of the mind; especially : an unrealizable dream <a fancy, a chimera in my brain, troubles me in my prayer — John Donne>
3
: an individual, organ, or part consisting of tissues of diverse genetic constitution
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Origin of CHIMERA
Latin chimaera, from Greek chimaira she-goat, chimera; akin to Old Norse gymbr yearling ewe, Greek cheimōn winter — more at hibernate
Related to CHIMERA
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Medical Dictionary
chimera
noun chi·me·ra
Medical Definition of CHIMERA
: an individual, organ, or part consisting of tissues of diverse genetic constitution
Biographical Note for CHIMERA
Chimera, Greek mythological character. The Chimera was a fire-breathing she-monster made up of the front parts of a lion, the middle parts of a goat, and the tail of a snake.
Variants of CHIMERA
chi·me·ra or chi·mae·ra \kī-ˈmir-ə, kə-\
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