Idea
[aɪ'dɪə] or [aɪ'diə]
Definition
(noun.) the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about; 'it was not a good idea'; 'the thought never entered my mind'.
(noun.) a personal view; 'he has an idea that we don't like him'.
Editor: Sasha--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) The transcript, image, or picture of a visible object, that is formed by the mind; also, a similar image of any object whatever, whether sensible or spiritual.
(n.) A general notion, or a conception formed by generalization.
(n.) Hence: Any object apprehended, conceived, or thought of, by the mind; a notion, conception, or thought; the real object that is conceived or thought of.
(n.) A belief, option, or doctrine; a characteristic or controlling principle; as, an essential idea; the idea of development.
(n.) A plan or purpose of action; intention; design.
(n.) A rational conception; the complete conception of an object when thought of in all its essential elements or constituents; the necessary metaphysical or constituent attributes and relations, when conceived in the abstract.
(n.) A fiction object or picture created by the imagination; the same when proposed as a pattern to be copied, or a standard to be reached; one of the archetypes or patterns of created things, conceived by the Platonists to have excited objectively from eternity in the mind of the Deity.
Typed by Belinda
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. [1]. [In the Platonic philosophy.] Archetype (conceived of as existing from eternity), pattern, model, exemplar, form, essence (common to many individual things and represented by a general term).[2]. Universal, concept, conception, notion, general or universal conception.[3]. Object of thought, image in the mind, mental representation of an object.[4]. Impression, apprehension, thought, fancy, conceit.[5]. Opinion, belief, supposition, judgment, sentiment.
Edited by Darrell
Definition
n. an image of an external object formed by the mind: a notion thought any product of intellectual action—of memory and imagination: an archetype of the manifold varieties of existence in the universe belonging to the supersensible world where reality is found and where God is (Platonic); one of the three products of the reason (the Soul the Universe and God) transcending the conceptions of the understanding—transcendental ideas in the functions of mind concerned with the unification of existence (Kantian); the ideal realised the absolute truth of which everything that exists is the expression (Hegelian).—adjs. Idē′aed Idē′a'd provided with an idea or ideas; Idē′al existing in idea: mental: existing in imagination only: the highest and best conceivable the perfect as opposed to the real the imperfect.—n. the highest conception of anything.—adj. Idē′aless.—n. Idealisā′tion act of forming an idea or of raising to the highest conception.—v.t. Idē′alise to form an idea: to raise to the highest conception.—v.i. to form ideas.—ns. Idē′alīser; Idē′alism the doctrine that in external perceptions the objects immediately known are ideas that all reality is in its nature psychical: any system that considers thought or the idea as the ground either of knowledge or existence: tendency towards the highest conceivable perfection love for or search after the best and highest: the imaginative treatment of subjects; Idē′alist one who holds the doctrine of idealism one who strives after the ideal: an unpractical person.—adj. Idealist′ic pertaining to idealists or to idealism.—n. Ideal′ity ideal state: ability and disposition to form ideals of beauty and perfection.—adv. Idē′ally in an ideal manner: mentally.—n. Idē′alogue one given to ideas: a theorist.—v.i. Idē′ate to form ideas.—adj. produced by an idea.—n. the correlative or object of an idea.—n. Ideā′tion the power of the mind for forming ideas: the exercise of such power.—adjs. Ideā′tional Idē′ative.
Typist: Tito
Examples
- We have been on the look-out for him, and there was some idea that he had got away to America. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Return of Sherlock Holmes.
- He must say he thought a drone the embodiment of a pleasanter and wiser idea. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- Mr. Bell quite startled me when he said, some idea of the kind--' 'Mr. Bell! Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell. North and South.
- The idea once broached, all were impatient to put it in execution. Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
- The manifest advantage of an even track for the wheels long ago suggested the idea of laying down wood and other hard, smooth surfaces for carriages to run upon. Frederick C. Bakewell. Great Facts.
- Influenced by his predominant idea, he even fell into a habit of discussing with himself the possibility of her being in some way associated with it. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- An idea is by its very nature weaker and fainter than an impression; but being in every other respect the same, cannot imply any very great mystery. David Hume. A Treatise of Human Nature.
- They had told her that her aunt Shaw was coming; but she had not expressed either surprise or pleasure, or dislike to the idea. Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell. North and South.
- Besides, I choose to please myself by sharing an idea that at this moment beams in your mother's eye while she looks at you. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- Believe me, and Elinor spoke it with the truest sincerity, nothing could be farther from my intention than to give you such an idea. Jane Austen. Sense and Sensibility.
- He had no suspicion that they ran any risk of being houseless until morning; had no idea of the truth until long, long afterwards. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- I had no idea that Mr. Betteredge was engaged. Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- There was something to the English peculiarly attractive in the idea of this wave-encircled, island-enthroned city. Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
- The leading idea was different from customary muckraking. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
- And had I had an idea of it, nothing should have induced me to accept the necklace. Jane Austen. Mansfield Park.
- But Ferranti had good ideas, and he was no small man. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- The ideas of Kay, Wyatt and Hargreaves are said to have been anticipated in Italy. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- The want of relation in the ideas breaks the relation of the impressions, and by such a separation prevents their mutual operation and influence. David Hume. A Treatise of Human Nature.
- Under such high patronage most of the ideas and principles of ordnance now prevailing were discovered or suggested, but were embodied for the most part in rude and inefficient contrivances. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- Simple perceptions or impressions and ideas are such as admit of no distinction nor separation. David Hume. A Treatise of Human Nature.
- He always told himself that and it was one of the last true ideas that was left to him that had ever been his own. Hemingway, Ernest. For Whom The Bell Tolls.
- But in the seaport and markets mingled men of every known race, comparing their religious ideas and customs. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- But it is a little silly for an agitator to cry thief when the success of his agitation has led to the adoption of his ideas. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
- Subsequent chapters will be devoted to making explicit the implications of the democratic ideas in education. John Dewey. Democracy and Education.
- He came and was put in my care for the purpose of a mutual exchange of ideas and for a report by me as to his competency in the matter. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- You think I'm an old woman whose ideas are bounded by Milton, and whose own crow is the whitest ever seen. Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell. North and South.
- So don't let me hear of these foolish morbid ideas. Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell. North and South.
- As it is impossible to know what your ideas are of the _maniére convenable_, how can one answer this? Benjamin Franklin. Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin.
- For then you are dealing with living ideas: to search his text has its uses, but compared with the actual tradition of Marx it is the work of pedantry. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
- But a Greek republic would have been dangerous to all monarchy in a Europe that fretted under the ideas of the Holy Alliance. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
Typed by Emile