factitiousness

1 definition found

factitiousness - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  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; 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.
     [1913 Webster]
  
           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.
            [1913 Webster]