virtual reality

Definition

A computer technology that simulates a real or imagined environment so that the user can interact with it as if physically present.

Etymology

Calque of French réalité virtuelle. virtual + reality

Example Sentences

• "When a player like Shotton's interviewee controls a persona in a MUA and becomes absorbed to such an extent that he is oblivious to the real world, concentrating only on the virtual reality, then the player and his persona fuse; he 'becomes' his persona in that MUA. As far as the player is concerned, things are happening not to the persona but to he himself. He can do things that are impossible in the real world, and be whoever he wants to be. That's the attraction."
• "In the virtual reality, text is all there is. If you see `Blackbriar chuckles.' then that is the closest you're going to get to a real chuckle in this environment."

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