DICT.TW Dictionary Taiwan

 Fac·ti·tious a.  Made by art, in distinction from what is produced by nature; artificial; sham; contrived; formed by, or adapted to, an artificial or conventional, in distinction from a natural, standard or rule; not natural; as, factitious cinnabar or jewels; a factitious taste. -- Fac-ti*tious*ly, adv. -- Fac*ti*tious*ness, n.
    He acquires a factitious propensity, he forms an incorrigible habit, of desultory reading.   --De Quincey.
 Syn: -- Unnatural.
 Usage: -- Factitious, Unnatural. Anything is unnatural when it departs in any way from its simple or normal state; it is factitious when it is wrought out or wrought up by labor and effort, as, a factitious excitement. An unnatural demand for any article of merchandise is one which exceeds the ordinary rate of consumption; a factitious demand is one created by active exertions for the purpose. An unnatural alarm is one greater than the occasion requires; a factitious alarm is one wrought up with care and effort.
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