imagination

imagi·na·tion (i maj′i nā′s̸hən)

noun

1. the act or power of forming mental images of what is not actually present
2. the act or power of creating mental images of what has never been actually experienced, or of creating new images or ideas by combining previous experiences; creative power
anything imagined; mental image; creation of the mind; fancy
a foolish notion; empty fancy
the ability to understand and appreciate imaginative creations of others, esp. works of art and literature
resourcefulness in dealing with new or unusual experiences
Obsolete an evil plan or scheme

Etymology: ME ymaginacioun < OFr imagination < L imaginatio < pp. of imaginari: see imagine

Power to visualize
inventiveness, creativity, fancy, mind's eye, ingenuity, artistry, imaginativeness, invention, originality, vision, resourcefulness, intelligence, thoughtfulness, impressionableness, acuteness, mental agility, sensitivity, mental receptivity, suggestibility, visualization, fictionalization, dramatization, pictorialization, insight, mental adaptability, creative ability, right brain; see also mind 1.
A product of the power to visualize
creation, invention, fabrication; see fancy 2, thought 2.

Converse of object

capture: Read more RIBA Stirling Prize 22 June - 16 October 2005 The RIBA Stirling Prize has captured the public imagination.
ignite: Oakley as a brand is driven to ignite the imagination through the fusion of art and science.
stir: How many old Studio photographs have you come across and when looked at, have stirred the imagination?
stimulate: Words don't simply stimulate the imagination - they require it.
catch: Never before has a children's book caught the public imagination so quickly and with such wide appeal.
excite: GM food excites imagination more than GM cash crops like Bt cotton.

Converse of subject

spark: Unique Beach Wedding Receptions The most unique beach wedding reception ideas are sparked by imagination not tradition.

Adjective modifier

vivid: What is a girl with a vivid imagination to do to make herself feel safe?
fertile: The secret of this system is to use the young mind's fertile imagination to create pictures that represent the numbers.
overactive: Or could it be the flu or an overactive imagination?
sociological: Human emancipation and autonomy are the objectives behind the sociological imagination.
fevered: The investment frauds we see at the SFO are hardly the stuff of a fevered imagination.
poetic: Or, it is enough, but the poetic imagination involved doesn't extend far enough to make it compelling.

Modifies a noun

riot: Level 1 Down in the Engine Room let your imagination run riot with hands on activities in this dynamic environment.
roam: Or should we let our imagination roam free, without restrictions?

Noun used with modifier

childs: I think it's well worth the money and really gets a childs imagination going.
childhood: The ten stories about her pre-school life with her grandmother capture the simplicity of childhood imagination and play.

Possessives

viewer: I remember seeing a television documentary of Cole Porter on Canada's Bravo Channel in 1980 which left nothing to the viewer's imagination.

Preposition: of

listener: There is a good mix of tracks guaranteed to capture the imagination of the listener ranging from soft-rock to ballads.
million: Jaws shaped the imaginations of millions making them very afraid of sharks.

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