Figment

A Figment is a product of the imagination; a fabrication, a fanciful notion, or a delusion that is believed to be real but has no basis in reality. It often arises from mental processes like dreaming, fantasizing, or hallucinating. The term highlights the unreal or illusory nature of something perceived or constructed within the mind. It can encompass a wide range of intangible concepts, including ideas, beliefs, characters, scenarios, or even physical sensations that are not objectively verifiable. The core understanding of a Figment rests on its detachment from the real world and its status as a construct of individual or collective thought. Often, there is a connotation of something being untrue or a deception, whether intentional or unintentional, by the user or creator.

Figment meaning with examples

• The detective dismissed the witness's account as a Figment of his imagination. The details of the alleged crime were too outlandish and lacked corroborating evidence. He believed the witness, possibly traumatized, had manufactured the scenario from a mix of fear and vague recollections. The detective stated it was a Figment to protect his fragile mind.
• The novel explored the protagonist's descent into madness, blurring the lines between reality and figment. She began experiencing vivid hallucinations, where the characters and the environment were clearly a Figment, and the events within the story began to bleed into her waking life, making it hard to escape.
• During her fever, the patient described elaborate scenes of travel and adventure. The medical team determined that these stories were nothing more than a Figment of her illness, a temporary distortion of her perception fueled by medication and feverish dreams which became a recurring figment.
• The rumors surrounding the celebrity's secret relationship were revealed to be a Figment spread by rival magazines. The sensationalist media fabricated the romantic involvement to boost their circulation, and it turned out to be unsubstantiated gossip based on misleading clues and photos, which was just a figment.
• Children often create imaginary friends, which can be seen as a harmless Figment of their developing imaginations. These characters often fulfill a need for companionship and social interaction as well as a creative outlet, helping them navigate and understand the world from a different perspective. This could be used to create another figment.