chimaera

chi·​mae·​ra | \ kī-ˈmir-ə How to pronounce chimaera (audio) , kə-\

Definition of chimaera

 (Entry 1 of 2)

chiefly British spelling of

chimaera

noun

Definition of chimaera (Entry 2 of 2)

: any of a family (Chimaeridae) of marine cartilaginous fishes with a tapering or threadlike tail and usually no anal fin

Examples of chimaera in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

These organoids can be either chimaera of human or animal cells or slices of human brain tissue. Diana Gitig, Ars Technica, "Human brain cells can make complex structures in a dish—is this a problem?," 28 Apr. 2018 Previously discovered in the deep sea near Australia, New Zealand, and New Caledonia, researchers observed the pointy-nosed blue chimaera in the North Pacific for the first time in 2009 (see video above). Casey Smith, National Geographic, "Watch Our Favorite Shark Videos," 28 July 2017 Scientists from Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland analyzed 250 DNA samples of Mycobacterium chimaera, an organism typically found in soil and tap water. Jonel Aleccia, Kaiser Health News, "DNA Links Deadly Germs, Tainted Heart Surgery Devices To German Factory," 12 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'chimaera.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of chimaera

Noun

1804, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for chimaera

Noun

New Latin, genus name, from Latin, chimera

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