Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Factitious?

\Fac*ti"tious\, a. [L. factitius, fr. facere to make. See {Fact}, and cf. {Fetich}.] Made by art, in distinction from what is produced by nature; artificial; sham; 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.