I shortly afterwards set off for that capital, with an idea of
undertaking while there the translation of the work.
W. Irving.
6. 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.
7. 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.
Thence to behold this new-created world, The addition of his
empire, how it showed In prospect from his throne, how good, how
fair, Answering his great idea.
Milton.
"In England, Locke may be said to have been the first who naturalized
the term in its Cartesian universality. When, in common language,
employed by Milton and Dryden, after Descartes, as before him by
Sidney, Spenser, Shakespeare, Hooker, etc., the meaning is Platonic."
Sir W. Hamilton.
Abstract idea, Association of ideas, etc. See under Abstract,
Association, etc.
Syn. -- Notion; conception; thought; sentiment; fancy; image;
perception; impression; opinion; belief; observation; judgment;
consideration; view; design; intention; purpose; plan; model; pattern.
There is scarcely any other word which is subjected to such abusive
treatment as is the word idea, in the very general and indiscriminative
way in which it is employed, as it is used variously to signify almost
any act, state, or content of thought.
I*de"al (?), a. [L. idealis: cf. F. idéal.] 1. Existing in idea or
thought; conceptional; intellectual; mental; as, ideal knowledge.
2. Reaching an imaginary standard of excellence; fit for a model;
faultless; as, ideal beauty. Byron.
There will always be a wide interval between practical and ideal
excellence.
Rambler.
3. Existing in fancy or imagination only; visionary; unreal. "Planning
ideal common wealth." Southey.
4. Teaching the doctrine of idealism; as, the ideal theory or
philosophy.