Chimera

A chimera is a mythical creature composed of disparate parts, typically from different animals, or a fantastical creation that blends diverse or contradictory elements into a single, often improbable or unrealistic entity. Figuratively, it refers to a hope or dream that is impossible or unlikely to be realized, a delusion, or a wildly imaginative concept. The term can also describe something existing only in the imagination, a fabricated idea, or something that is deceptive or misleading in its appearance. In biology, a chimera can refer to an organism containing cells with different genetic origins.

Chimera meaning with examples

• The artist's painting depicted a chimera, a fearsome beast with the head of a lion, the body of a goat, and the tail of a serpent. Its bizarre combination of features made it both frightening and captivating, a symbol of the unknown. The creature seemed poised to unleash fire.
• The proposal to build a flying car company was widely dismissed as a chimera; the technological hurdles and financial investments required seemed insurmountable. Despite years of effort, the dream never turned into reality, and only prototypes existed.
• Political rhetoric often painted a chimera of an idealized past that never existed, using nostalgia to distract from present difficulties. The promise of restoring greatness often glossed over complex realities, offering a simplistic solution.
• The scientist created a genetic chimera, merging the cells of two different mouse strains, creating a living animal with unique characteristics. This innovative experiment had ethical implications and potentially therapeutic benefits, though it faced scrutiny.
• She chased the chimera of perfect happiness, constantly seeking fulfillment in fleeting moments, never quite content. This constant striving for an unattainable ideal brought a sense of emptiness, as satisfaction remained perpetually out of reach.