imaginal

1 of 2

adjective (1)

imag·​i·​nal i-ˈma-jə-nᵊl How to pronounce imaginal (audio)
: of or relating to imagination, images, or imagery

imaginal

2 of 2

adjective (2)

: of or relating to the insect imago

Examples of imaginal in a Sentence

Adjective (1) after a desensitizing series of imaginal exposures to the feared object, the phobic person is then exposed to the actual object the equator is merely an imaginal line
Recent Examples on the Web
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Adjective
With one technique, for example—called imaginal exposure—you might be asked to visualize the process of going to the airport, boarding the plane, and experiencing a bad bout of turbulence. Angela Haupt, TIME, 10 May 2024 Mercury entering into Pisces turns up the imaginal juice. USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2024 Then, from bundles of cells known as imaginal disks, a new body takes form. Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Adjective (1)

borrowed from Late Latin imāginālis, from Latin imāgin-, imāgō image entry 1 + -ālis -al entry 1

Adjective (2)

New Latin imāgin-, imāgō imago + -al entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective (1)

1638, in the meaning defined above

Adjective (2)

1877, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of imaginal was in 1638

Dictionary Entries Near imaginal

Cite this Entry

“Imaginal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imaginal. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

imaginal

1 of 2 adjective
imag·​i·​nal im-ˈaj-ən-ᵊl How to pronounce imaginal (audio)
: of, relating to, or involving imagination, images, or imagery

imaginal

2 of 2 adjective
ima·​gi·​nal im-ˈā-gən-ᵊl How to pronounce imaginal (audio) -ˈäg-ən- How to pronounce imaginal (audio)
: of or relating to the insect imago
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