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chimera
The definition of chimera is a fire-breathing female monster in Greek myths with the head of a lion, the body of a goat, and the tail of a serpent.
(noun)A female monster in Greek myths is an example of chimera.
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See chimera in Webster's New World College Dictionary
noun
- Gr. Myth. a fire-breathing monster, usually represented as having a lion's head, a goat's body, and a serpent's tail
- any similar fabulous monster
- an impossible or foolish fancy
- Biol. an organism having two or more genetically distinct types of cells due to mutation, grafting, etc.
Origin: ME & OFr < L chimaera < Gr chimaira, fabulous monster, orig., she-goat that has passed one winter < cheima, winter: see hibernate
See chimera in American Heritage Dictionary 4
also chi·mae·ra
noun- a. An organism, organ, or part consisting of two or more tissues of different genetic composition, produced as a result of organ transplant, grafting, or genetic engineering.b. A substance, such as an antibody, created from the proteins or genes of two different species.
- An individual who has received a transplant of genetically and immunologically different tissue.
- A fanciful mental illusion or fabrication.
Origin:
Origin: Middle English chimere, Chimera
Origin: , from Old French
Origin: , from Latin chimaera
Origin: , from Greek khimaira, chimera, she-goat; see ghei- in Indo-European roots
.also Chi·mae·ra
noun- Greek Mythology A fire-breathing she-monster usually represented as a composite of a lion, goat, and serpent.
- An imaginary monster made up of grotesquely disparate parts.
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