numinous

adjective

nu·mi·nous ˈnü-mə-nəs How to pronounce numinous (audio)

ˈnyü-

: supernatural, mysterious

: filled with a sense of the presence of divinity : holy

: appealing to the higher emotions or to the aesthetic sense : spiritual

numinousness

ˈnü-mə-nəs-nəs How to pronounce numinous (audio)

ˈnyü-

noun

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Numinous and Supernatural

Numinous is from the Latin word numen, meaning "nod of the head" or "divine will" (the latter sense suggesting a figurative nod, of assent or of command, of the divine head). English speakers have been using numen for centuries with the meaning "a spiritual force or influence." The meanings of the adjective include "supernatural" or "mysterious" (as in "possessed of a numinous energy force"), "holy" ("the numinous atmosphere of the catacombs"), and "appealing to the aesthetic sense" ("the numinous nuances of her art"). There are also the nouns numinousness and numinosity, although these are rare.

Example Sentences

Her poetry is filled with a numinous beauty. some have sensed a numinous energy in the landscape around Sedona, Arizona

Recent Examples on the Web The creaky Romantic fantasy of the numinous artist, isolated from mundane labors, turning her back on the modern world to get in touch with higher truths, is on display.

Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2022 For the sculptor Cornelia Parker, the conflagration presented a different kind of opportunity: a chance to source art supplies with a numinous backstory.

Jonathon Keats, Forbes, 20 May 2022 This understanding of existence as both concrete and numinous jibed with Ellis’s photographic practice.

Chris Wiley, The New Yorker, 14 Dec. 2021 Armed with the right mind-set, the familiar could become numinous.

Henry Wismayer, Washington Post, 8 Sep. 2021 The book has less to do with heroic resistance than with something harder to put your finger on: the numinous, world-renewing potential that some Apache feel in Oak Flat.

Max Norman, The New Yorker, 23 July 2021 Set in the fairy tale-like beauty of the Pacific Northwest, the film captures a numinous world that shimmers between the visionary and natural.

BostonGlobe.com, 5 May 2021 María Elena moved through a world that was haunted by spirits, numinous presences who could give comfort and advice or demand sacrifice and appeasement.

New York Times, 2 Feb. 2021 His fascination with a numinous world that may not mean anything at all: that’s his equivalent of Balzac’s greedy-eyed fascination with money.

Michael Gorra, The New York Review of Books, 17 Nov. 2020 See More

单词	numinousness
释义	numinous adjective nu·mi·nous ˈnü-mə-nəs ˈnyü- 1 : supernatural, mysterious 2 : filled with a sense of the presence of divinity : holy 3 : appealing to the higher emotions or to the aesthetic sense : spiritual numinousness ˈnü-mə-nəs-nəs ˈnyü- noun Did you know? Numinous and Supernatural Numinous is from the Latin word numen, meaning "nod of the head" or "divine will" (the latter sense suggesting a figurative nod, of assent or of command, of the divine head). English speakers have been using numen for centuries with the meaning "a spiritual force or influence." The meanings of the adjective include "supernatural" or "mysterious" (as in "possessed of a numinous energy force"), "holy" ("the numinous atmosphere of the catacombs"), and "appealing to the aesthetic sense" ("the numinous nuances of her art"). There are also the nouns numinousness and numinosity, although these are rare. Synonyms magic magical mystic occult weird See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Her poetry is filled with a numinous beauty. some have sensed a numinous energy in the landscape around Sedona, Arizona Recent Examples on the Web The creaky Romantic fantasy of the numinous artist, isolated from mundane labors, turning her back on the modern world to get in touch with higher truths, is on display. Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2022 For the sculptor Cornelia Parker, the conflagration presented a different kind of opportunity: a chance to source art supplies with a numinous backstory. Jonathon Keats, Forbes, 20 May 2022 This understanding of existence as both concrete and numinous jibed with Ellis’s photographic practice. Chris Wiley, The New Yorker, 14 Dec. 2021 Armed with the right mind-set, the familiar could become numinous. Henry Wismayer, Washington Post, 8 Sep. 2021 The book has less to do with heroic resistance than with something harder to put your finger on: the numinous, world-renewing potential that some Apache feel in Oak Flat. Max Norman, The New Yorker, 23 July 2021 Set in the fairy tale-like beauty of the Pacific Northwest, the film captures a numinous world that shimmers between the visionary and natural. BostonGlobe.com, 5 May 2021 María Elena moved through a world that was haunted by spirits, numinous presences who could give comfort and advice or demand sacrifice and appeasement. New York Times, 2 Feb. 2021 His fascination with a numinous world that may not mean anything at all: that’s his equivalent of Balzac’s greedy-eyed fascination with money. Michael Gorra, The New York Review of Books, 17 Nov. 2020 See More Word History Etymology Latin numin-, numen numen First Known Use 1647, in the meaning defined at sense 1 numinousness noun as in mysteriousness the quality or state of being impossible to know, understand, or explain the undeniable numinousness of so many of the articles of faith embraced by that sect Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance mysteriousness ambiguity impenetrability uncanniness shadowiness inscrutableness inscrutability darkness obscurity equivocalness hermetism vagueness profundity unanswerability unintelligibleness murkiness unintelligibility incomprehensibility reconditeness equivocality deepness inexplicableness abstruseness unknowability esotericism abstrusity inexplicability Antonyms & Near Antonyms intelligibility understandability transparency clarity plainness straightforwardness obviousness self-evidence See More
随便看	nonattributive nonattributively nonauditory croupiers croupiest crouping croupon croupous pneumonia croups croupy crouse croustade croustades croutes crouth crouton croutons crouts crow crow corn crow fig crow garlic crow needle crow onion crow pheasant

numinous

adjective

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

noun