chimera

IPA/kaɪˈmɪərə/
KK[tʃɪmˈɛrə]IPA/kaɪˈmɪrə/

chimera — 名詞

  • chimerasingular
  • chimerasplural

1. a fire-breathing beast from Greek legend, formed with the head of a lion, the bo

1.名詞C1
釋義

奇美拉

希臘神話中的獅羊蛇怪獸

a fire-breathing beast from Greek legend, formed with the head of a lion, the body of a goat, and the tail of a snake

例句

At the museum, Emily pointed to a chimera breathing fire.

在博物館裡，Emily 指著一隻正在噴火的奇美拉。

chimera as the myth creature

Valentina read about a hero who fought a chimera near the sea.

Valentina 讀到一位英雄在海邊與奇美拉交戰的故事。

同義詞
  • monster

    a broad word for a frightening imaginary creature, without the chimera's fixed shape

  • beast

    a more general literary word that can describe any fierce creature

用法筆記

Usually written with a capital letter when it refers to the specific beast from Greek myth. In broader figurative uses, the word is normally lower-case.

2. a living thing, organ, or tissue that contains cells from more than one genetic

2.名詞C2
釋義

嵌合體

含不同遺傳細胞的生物

a living thing, organ, or tissue that contains cells from more than one genetic source, sometimes from different species

例句

The lab mouse was a chimera made from cells of two embryos.

那隻實驗鼠是由兩個胚胎的細胞做成的嵌合體。

lab-created chimera from two embryos

Tests showed that Feng was a blood chimera after the transplant.

檢測顯示，移植之後 Feng 成了血液嵌合體。

文法句型

create a chimera

chimera + from + cells

human-animal chimera

用法筆記

In biology, a chimera is identified by mixed cell lines inside one body. Distinguish it from hybrid, which refers to offspring produced by parents from different groups.

常見錯誤

❌The mule is a chimera of a horse and a donkey.
✅The mule is a hybrid of a horse and a donkey.
💡A hybrid comes from breeding, while a chimera contains different cell populations in one organism.

3. something formed by joining parts, styles, or ideas that do not naturally fit to

3.名詞C1
釋義

混成物

由差異很大的部分拼成的東西

something formed by joining parts, styles, or ideas that do not naturally fit together

例句

Critics called the new district a chimera of mall, museum, and theme park.

評論家說，新區像是商場、博物館和主題樂園拼出的混成物。

a chimera of + unlike parts

After three rewrites, the draft law became a chimera of competing ideas.

改寫三次後，這部法案成了各種想法互相競爭的混成物。

同義詞
  • hybrid

    more neutral, often for a successful combination rather than a clashing one

  • patchwork

    emphasizes many pieces put together, especially if the result feels uneven

文法句型

a chimera of + plural noun

become a chimera

用法筆記

Often used in formal criticism for a plan, object, or work that combines elements which seem to clash, not for an ordinary mixture of compatible parts.

常見錯誤

❌The lunch bowl was a chimera of rice and vegetables.
✅The lunch bowl was a mixture of rice and vegetables.
💡chimera suggests an odd or uneasy combination, not a normal mix.

4. a pleasing plan or hope that people imagine even though it is almost certain not

4.名詞C1
釋義

空想

幾乎不可能實現的希望

a pleasing plan or hope that people imagine even though it is almost certain not to happen

例句

For years, the inventor chased a chimera of free electricity for every home.

多年來，那位發明家一直追逐著讓每個家庭免費用電的空想。

chase a chimera = pursue impossible hope

Noor warned that a perfectly fair tax system may remain a chimera.

Noor 警告說，完全公平的稅制也許始終只是空想。

同義詞
  • pipe dream

    close in meaning, but much more informal

  • illusion

    stresses mistaken belief as well as desire

  • fantasy

    often suggests enjoyable imagination rather than a serious goal

文法句型

chase a chimera

remain a chimera

用法筆記

Usually appears in formal or reflective writing about politics, science, or ambition. It suggests a goal that attracts people but stays out of reach.

常見錯誤

❌Her dream of visiting Tainan is a chimera.
✅Her dream of visiting Tainan is a dream.
💡chimera is used for hopes that are unrealistic or impossible, not ordinary plans.