Etymology : Middle English, from Middle French imaginer, from Latin imaginari, from imagin-, imago image
Pronunciation : i-'ma-j&n
Function : verb
Date : 14th century
1. create a mental image which does not literally exist, fantasize, visualize; think, suppose, assume; guess. imagine\im*ag"ine\, v. i.
2. to form images or conceptions; to conceive; to devise.
3. to think; to suppose. my sister is not so defenseless left as you imagine.imagine \im*ag"ine\ , v. t. [imp. & p. p. imagined ; p. pr. & vb. n. imagining.] [f. imaginer, l. imaginari, p. p. imaginatus, fr. imago image. see:
image.].
4. to form in the mind a notion or idea of; to form a mental image of; to conceive; to produce by the imagination. in the night, imagining some fear, how easy is a bush supposed a bear!.
5. to contrive in purpose; to scheme; to devise; to compass; to purpose. see:
compass, v. t.,.
6. how long will ye imagine mischief against a man? lxii.
7. 3. to represent to one's self; to think; to believe.
8. To form in the mind a notion or idea of; to form a mental image of; to conceive; to produce by the imagination.
9. To contrive in purpose; to scheme; to devise; to compass; to purpose.
10. See Compass, v. t., 5.
11. To represent to one's self; to think; to believe.
12. To form images or conceptions; to conceive; to devise.
13. To think; to suppose. form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case; "Can you conceive of him as the president?".
14. 1. If you imagine something, you think about it and your mind forms a picture or idea of it. He could not imagine a more peaceful scene Can you imagine how she must have felt when Mary Brent turned up with me in tow? Imagine you're lying on a beach, listening to the steady rhythm of waves lapping the shore I can't imagine you being unfair to anyone, Leigh.
15. If you imagine that something is the case, you think that it is the case. I imagine you're referring to Jean-Paul Sartre `Was he meeting someone?' --- `I imagine so.' = suppose.
16. If you imagine something, you think that you have seen, heard, or experienced that thing, although actually you have not. I realised that I must have imagined the whole thing. = dream.