DIMENSIONS: EVALUATION / Perspective
Refers to something considered as a standard to strive toward or something considered worthy of imitation. An Ideal is a concept or standard of perfection, existing merely as an image in the mind, or based upon a person or upon conduct
R E F E R E N C E S
Ideal n. 1. a conception of something in its perfection. 2. a standard of perfection or excellence. 3. a person or thing regarded as embodying such a conception or conforming to such a standard, and taken as a model for imitation. 4. an ultimate object or aim of endeavor, esp. one of high or noble character: He refuses to compromise any of his ideals. 5. something that exists only in the imagination. -adj. 6. conceived as constituting a standard of perfection or excellence: ideal beauty. 7. regarded as perfect of its kind: an ideal spot for a home. 8. existing only in the imagination; not real or practical; visionary: an ideal future. 9. advantageous; excellent; best: It would be ideal if she could stay. 10. based upon an ideal or ideals: the ideal theory of numbers. 11. Philos. a. existing as an achetype or Platonic Idea. b. pertaining to or of the nature of idealism. [< LL ideál(is)]
-Syn. 1, 2. epitome. Ideal, Example, Model, refer to something considered as a standard to strive toward or something considered worthy of imitation. An Ideal is a concept or standard of perfection, existing merely as an image in the mind, or based upon a person or upon conduct: Sir Philip Sidney was considered the ideal in gentlemanly conduct. An Example is a person or his conduct or achievements regarded as worthy of being followed or imitated in a general way: or sometimes, as properly to be avoided: an example of courage; a bad example to oneÍs children. A Model is primarily a physical shape to be closely copied, but is also a pattern for exact imitation in conduct or charactaer: They took their leader as a model. 4. intention, objective. 6. perfect, consummate, complete. 8. impractical, imaginary.
[Urdang, Laurence, ed. Random House Dictionary of The English Language. New York: Random House, 1968.]
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