a. [f. prec. + -AL.] Of, pertaining to, or of the nature of fiction.
1843. F. E. Paget, Warden Berkingholt, 97. Corrupting and poisoning the springs of fictional literature.
1848. Blackw. Mag., LXIII. June, 754/1. There is a fearful dearth of invention just now, especially in the fictional department; and if no speedy improvement takes place, I confess I do not know what is to become of the periodicals.
1865. The Saturday Review, XX. 19 Aug., 227/1. He is, as the modern phrase has it, the outcome of these fine fictional theories.
1869. Arber, Introd. Monk of Evesham, 8. The confusion in construction while it tells in the narration of the immediate story in hand, tends to prove the fictional character of the Work.
Hence Fictionally adv., in a fictional manner; by means of a work of fiction.
1889. Hissey, Tour in Phaeton, 34. A somewhat similar old house in like manner made fictionally historic, a veritable romance in bricks and mortar.
