* Latin "fingere": The word originates from the Latin verb "fingere," meaning "to shape," "to form," or "to fashion." This verb had a broader sense than just physical shaping; it could also refer to creating something in the mind.
* "Figmentum": The noun "figmentum" was derived from "fingere," meaning "something formed or fashioned." This could refer to a physical object or a mental construct.
* "Figment": The English word "figment" directly evolved from the Latin "figmentum." It entered the English language in the 16th century and retains the meaning of something created or imagined, especially a product of the imagination.
Therefore, the essence of "figment" lies in the idea of something being fabricated or formed, either physically or in the mind. It signifies a creation, often one lacking a concrete basis in reality.