chimère

chimera, wild fantasy

noun shee-MEHR Rare

Origin: Greek 'Chimaira', a fire-breathing mythological creature

Usage Note

Chimère entered French from the Greek monster with a lion's head, goat's body, and serpent's tail, but is far more commonly used figuratively for an impossible dream or illusion — poursuivre des chimères means 'to chase pipe dreams'. The adjective chimérique means 'fanciful' or 'illusory'.

Examples

"Ses projets ne sont que des chimères."

Natural Translation

His plans are nothing but pipe dreams.

Literal Translation

His plans are only chimeras.

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