Main Entry: ¹syn·thet·ic

Pronunciation: \sin-ˈthe-tik\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Greek synthetikos of composition, component, from syntithenai to put together

Date: 1697

1 : relating to or involving synthesis : not analytic <the synthetic aspects of a philosophy>
2 : attributing to a subject something determined by observation rather than analysis of the nature of the subject and not resulting in self-contradiction if negated — compare analytic
3 : characterized by frequent and systematic use of inflected forms to express grammatical relationships <synthetic languages>
4 a (1) : of, relating to, or produced by chemical or biochemical synthesis; especially : produced artificially <synthetic drugs> <synthetic silk> (2) : of or relating to a synfuel b : devised, arranged, or fabricated for special situations to imitate or replace usual realities c : factitious, bogus

— syn·thet·i·cal·ly \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb