noun
chimera
kye-MEER-uh/kaɪˈmɪrə/
A mythical monster made up of parts of different animals.
The chimera has a lion's head, a goat's body and a dragon's tail.
Etymology
Greek khimaira named a monster with a lion’s head, a goat’s body, and a dragon’s tail. This combination of unlike creatures became an image for a wild fantasy assembled from disparate parts.
More examples
- A fire-breathing chimera guards the palace in the legend.
- The shield bears an image of a chimera.
- Several strange chimeras fill the manuscript's margins.
Forms
chimera · chimeras
Similar words
- monster
- Monster is broad; chimera emphasizes a creature combining parts of different animals.