## Meanings
1. Existing only in the mind, not real.
2. In mathematics, relating to a number that is a multiple of the square root of minus one.
3. In mathematics, a number of the form a+bi involving the square root of minus one.

## Examples
- As a child, she had an imaginary friend she talked to every day.
- In advanced maths, students learn about imaginary numbers.
- The equation had no real solutions, only imaginaries.

## Derived Forms
- imaginarily
- imaginariness
- imaginarity
- nonimaginary
- quater-imaginary
- unimaginary

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: ymaginarie
- Root: imāginārius

## Etymology
From Middle English ymaginarie, ymagynary, from Latin imāginārius (“relating to images, fancied”), from imāgō, equivalent to imagine + -ary. The mathematical sense derives from René Descartes's use (of the French imaginaire) in 1637, La Geometrie, to ridicule the notion of regarding non-real roots of polynomials as numbers. Although Descartes' usage was derogatory, the designation stuck even after the concept gained acceptance in the 18th century.

## AI Etymology
Imaginary comes from Middle English ymaginarie, ymagynary, from Latin imāginārius (“relating to images, fancied”), from imāgō, equivalent to imagine + -ary. The mathematical sense derives from René Descartes's use (of the French imaginaire) in 1637, La Geometrie, to ridicule the notion of regarding non-real roots of polynomials as numbers. Although Descartes' usage was derogatory, the designation stuck even after the concept gained acceptance in the 18th century. In current use, the main senses are “Existing only in the mind, not real” and “In mathematics, relating to a number that is a multiple of the square root of minus one”.

## Topics
- Numbers & Quantity
- Mathematics & Measurement

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