| / English Dictionary |
IDEA
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
An approximate calculation of quantity or degree or worth
Example:
a rough idea how long it would take
Synonyms:
approximation; estimate; estimation; idea
Classified under:
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents
Hypernyms ("idea" is a kind of...):
calculation; computation; figuring; reckoning (problem solving that involves numbers or quantities)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "idea"):
scalage (estimation of the amount of lumber in a log)
credit; credit rating (an estimate, based on previous dealings, of a person's or an organization's ability to fulfill their financial commitments)
dead reckoning; guess; guessing; guesswork; shot (an estimate based on little or no information)
guesstimate; guestimate (an estimate that combines reasoning with guessing)
overestimate; overestimation; overrating; overreckoning (a calculation that results in an estimate that is too high)
underestimate; underestimation; underrating; underreckoning (an estimation that is too low; an estimate that is less than the true or actual value)
Sense 2
Meaning:
The content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
Example:
the thought never entered my mind
Synonyms:
idea; thought
Classified under:
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents
Hypernyms ("idea" is a kind of...):
cognitive content; content; mental object (the sum or range of what has been perceived, discovered, or learned)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "idea"):
kink (an eccentric idea)
keynote (a fundamental or central idea)
idealisation; idealization (something that exists only as an idea)
ideal (the idea of something that is perfect; something that one hopes to attain)
motif; theme (a unifying idea that is a recurrent element in literary or artistic work)
burden (the central idea that is expanded in a document or discourse)
meaning; substance (the idea that is intended)
notion; whim; whimsey; whimsy (an odd or fanciful or capricious idea)
theorem (an idea accepted as a demonstrable truth)
reaction (an idea evoked by some experience)
belief; feeling; impression; notion; opinion (a vague idea in which some confidence is placed)
suggestion (an idea that is suggested)
generalisation; generality; generalization (an idea or conclusion having general application)
figment (a contrived or fantastic idea)
plan; program; programme (a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished)
misconception (an incorrect conception)
preoccupation (an idea that preoccupies the mind and holds the attention)
concept; conception; construct (an abstract or general idea inferred or derived from specific instances)
cogitation (a carefully considered thought about something)
inspiration (arousal of the mind to special unusual activity or creativity)
Derivation:
ideal (constituting or existing only in the form of an idea or mental image or conception)
ideate (form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case)
Sense 3
Meaning:
A personal view
Example:
he has an idea that we don't like him
Classified under:
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents
Hypernyms ("idea" is a kind of...):
opinion; persuasion; sentiment; thought; view (a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "idea"):
body image (an individual's idea as assessment of his or her own body)
Sense 4
Meaning:
Your intention; what you intend to do
Example:
the idea of the game is to capture all the pieces
Synonyms:
idea; mind
Classified under:
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents
Hypernyms ("idea" is a kind of...):
aim; design; intent; intention; purpose (an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions)
Sense 5
Meaning:
(music) melodic subject of a musical composition
Example:
the accompanist picked up the idea and elaborated it
Synonyms:
idea; melodic theme; musical theme; theme
Classified under:
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents
Hypernyms ("idea" is a kind of...):
air; line; melodic line; melodic phrase; melody; strain; tune (a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence)
Domain category:
music (an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "idea"):
motif; motive (a theme that is repeated or elaborated in a piece of music)
statement ((music) the presentation of a musical theme)
variation (a repetition of a musical theme in which it is modified or embellished)
Context examples:
Amy liked the idea, and gave her leave to arrange the light closet next her room, hoping it would do her good.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
“My dear Watson,” said the well-remembered voice, “I owe you a thousand apologies. I had no idea that you would be so affected.”
(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
My uncle is not pleased with the idea of a military career in a distant country, but Ernest never had your powers of application.
(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)
However, less than 0.25% of the total inositol-containing lipids are phosphorylated at the 3-position, consistent with the idea that these lipids exert specific regulatory functions inside the cell, as opposed to a structural function.
(Phosphoinositide Pathway, NCI Thesaurus/BIOCARTA)
Having to do with the deeper questions of life and with a person’s basic beliefs, ideas, and attitudes.
(Philosophical, NCI Dictionary)
To keep track of all this information, it's a good idea to keep your own personal health record.
(Personal Health Records, NIH)
A scholarly process that subjects an author's work or ideas to the scrutiny of one or more others who are experts in the field.
(Peer Review, NCI Thesaurus)
Character(s) assigned to identify a particular collection of subjects or ideas.
(Group Label, NCI Thesaurus)
It is what would be obtained if the distance between two points were measured with a ruler: the "intuitive" idea of distance.
(Euclidean Distance Measurement, NCI Thesaurus)
An abstract or general idea inferred or derived from specific instances.
(Construct, NCI Thesaurus)
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