The Collaborative International Dictionary
Imaginary \Im*ag"i*na*ry\, a. [L. imaginarius: cf. F. imaginaire.] Existing only in imagination or fancy; not real; fancied; visionary; ideal.
Wilt thou add to all the griefs I suffer
Imaginary ills and fancied tortures?
--Addison.
Imaginary calculus See under Calculus.
Imaginary expression or Imaginary quantity (Alg.), an algebraic expression which involves the impossible operation of taking the square root of a negative quantity; as, [root]-9, a + b [root]-1.
Imaginary points, lines, surfaces, etc. (Geom.), points, lines, surfaces, etc., imagined to exist, although by reason of certain changes of a figure they have in fact ceased to have a real existence.
Syn: Ideal; fanciful; chimerical; visionary; fancied; unreal; illusive.
Usage examples of "imaginary points".
He and Jacoby, and rarely Azov, played for imaginary points, pledged against real credits when they reached some civilized point together.
And sometimes, as though to replace the two plausible but persistently absent fathers in the expectant mother's eyes, he stared gloomily at two imaginary points, ground inexperienced teeth in the tech sergeant's manner, drew Stö.