This week’s theme
Words relating to religion

This week’s words
evangelical
epiphany
sacrificial lamb
parochial
judgment day

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A.Word.A.Day

PRONUNCIATION:

(i-PIF-uh-nee)

MEANING:

noun: A sudden insight, understanding, or realization.

ETYMOLOGY:

From Greek epi- (upon) + -phany (showing). Earliest documented use: 1350.

NOTES:

The original epiphany was the manifestation of Christ to the Magi (celebrated on Jan 6 in Christian tradition). Since then the word has broadened to mean any sudden insight or revelation. Think of it as that “Aha!” lightbulb moment.

USAGE:

“The Italian poet Filippo Tommaso Marinetti had an epiphany after an automobile accident in 1908, which led him to Futurism and then to fascism.”
Timothy Snyder; American Fascist (Permalink); The New Yorker; Nov 18, 2024.

“They started writing a chorus, and [Grace] VanderWaal had an epiphany: ‘Maybe we cut out all the instruments, cut the lyrics, and just do one word: You.’ They recorded that, and VanderWaal added harmonies. Maury laid down some ethereal guitar, and Sim added a distorted whistle sound. ‘So sick!’ VanderWaal said.”
Andrew Marantz; Camp Songs; The New Yorker; Aug 21, 2023.

See more usage examples of epiphany in Vocabulary.com’s dictionary.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY: