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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

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]