An abstract archetype of a given thing, compared to which real-life examples are seen as imperfect approximations; pure essence, as opposed to actual examples.
The conception of someone or something as representing a perfect example; an ideal.
Borrowed from Latin idea ("a (Platonic) idea; archetype"), from Ancient Greek ἰδέα ("notion, pattern"), from εἴδω, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *weyd- ("to know; see"). Cognate with French idée. idée.
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