idealize
UK[aɪˈdɪəlaɪz]US[aɪˈdiːəlaɪz]
v
To regard or represent someone or something as perfect or better than in reality.
v
To form an ideal or ideals.
Morpheme Breakdown
ideal
ize
ideal
a perfect standard or concept.
ize
Etymology
The word 'idealize' is a modern English formation built upon the philosophical term 'ideal,' which traces its lineage to the Greek idea, meaning "form," "pattern," or "archetype." In Platonic philosophy, the idea was the perfect, immutable form existing in a non-physical realm, from which all worldly objects were imperfect copies. The suffix -ize, a prolific verb-maker in English, was appended to 'ideal' to create a verb meaning "to make into or view as an ideal." Thus, the literal action of "making ideal" evolved from an ancient concept of perfect forms into the modern psychological act of perceiving or portraying reality in a perfected, often unrealistic, manner.
Analysis
Structure: ideal + ize
- ideal: From Latin idealis (existing as an idea), from Greek idea (form, pattern). Functions as the core noun/adjective root meaning "a perfect standard or concept."
- ize: A verb-forming suffix from Greek -izein via Latin -izare and French -iser. It means "to make, to become, or to practice."
Examples
People often idealize their childhood, forgetting the ordinary difficulties.
The biography avoids idealizing its subject, presenting a balanced view of his strengths and flaws.
Artists in that movement sought to idealize the human form, depicting figures of serene beauty and proportion.