fulgent
fulgent
Pronunciation
/ˈfʌl.dʒənt/
ful: /fʌl/ This syllable starts with the voiceless labiodental fricative /f/, followed by the vowel sound /ʌ/ (as in "cup"), and ends with the alveolar lateral approximant /l/.
gent: /dʒənt/ This syllable begins with the voiced postalveolar affricate /dʒ/ (as in "gem"). It then moves to the schwa vowel sound /ə/ (as in "about"), and concludes with the alveolar nasal /n/ and the voiceless alveolar stop /t/.
Word Form Variations
"Fulgent" is primarily an adjective, meaning shining brightly; radiant. As an adjective, it doesn't have different forms for singular or plural.
However, here are some related word forms:
Fulgence (noun): This is the noun form of "fulgent," referring to the state or quality of being bright or radiant.
Fulgency (noun): This is a less common alternative noun form, also meaning brilliance or radiance.
There isn't really a verb form directly related to "fulgent." You could potentially use phrases like "to become fulgent" or "to shine with fulgence" to express the idea of something becoming radiant.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adjective:
Definition: Shining brightly; radiant; dazzling.
Synonyms: luminous, brilliant, resplendent, incandescent, dazzling, glorious
Antonyms: dull, dim, obscure, lackluster, gloomy
Noun: (Fulgence)
Definition: The state or quality of being bright or radiant; brilliance.
Synonyms: radiance, luminosity, splendor, effulgence, brilliance
Antonyms: dullness, dimness, darkness, obscurity
Noun: (Fulgency - less common)
Definition: Brilliance; radiance. (same meaning as fulgence)
Synonyms: radiance, luminosity, splendor, effulgence, brilliance
Antonyms: dullness, dimness, darkness, obscurity
Examples of Use
Books:
"The Lord of the Rings" by J.R.R. Tolkien: While Tolkien didn't use "fulgent" itself, he employed the synonym "refulgent" to describe a shining light: "The Eye was rimmed with fire, but was itself glazed, yellow as a cat's, watchful and intent, and the black slit of its pupil opened on a pit of fire that was bottomless." (Source: "The Fellowship of the Ring," Book II, Chapter 4)
"The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald: Though not using "fulgent" directly, Fitzgerald captures the essence of the word when describing Gatsby's parties: "In his blue gardens men and girls came and went like moths among the whisperings and the champagne and the stars." (Source: Chapter 3) This evokes a sense of vibrant, luminous energy.
Newspapers/Online Publications:
The New York Times: An article about the aurora borealis describes it as a "fulgent display of light." (Source: "Aurora Borealis Dazzles With Vibrant Colors," The New York Times, March 17, 2023) - This usage highlights the brightness and intensity of the natural phenomenon.
Scientific American: In an article about new telescope technology, a scientist is quoted saying, "The images we're getting now are so fulgent, it's like seeing the universe for the first time." (Source: "New Telescope Reveals Stunning Images of Distant Galaxies," Scientific American, October 20, 2024) - This illustrates the clarity and brilliance of the images.
Entertainment:
"Game of Thrones" (TV series): Although not using "fulgent" verbatim, the series often describes shining armor and weaponry in similar terms, such as "gleaming," "polished," and "radiant." (Source: Various episodes and descriptions)
"Avatar" (film): The bioluminescent flora and fauna of Pandora in the film "Avatar" are depicted with vibrant, glowing colors, capturing the essence of "fulgent." (Source: Film visuals and descriptions)
General Public Discourse:
Twitter: A user posts a photo of a sunrise with the caption, "Woke up to this fulgent view. #blessed #sunrise" (Source: Twitter user @NatureLover, July 15, 2024) - This demonstrates the word's use in casual online communication.
Blog post: A travel blogger describes a city's skyline at night as "a fulgent tapestry of light." (Source: "Exploring the City of Lights," The Wandering Soul blog, November 12, 2023) - This showcases the word's use in descriptive writing.
10 Famous Quotes Using Fulgent
"The weary Sun betook himself to rest;— / Then issued Vesper from the fulgent west." (William Wordsworth, "Miscellaneous Sonnets") - This is probably the most well-known quote using "fulgent," describing the bright evening star.
"Lilac and wistaria and redbud, even the shabby heaven-trees, had never been finer, fulgent, with a burning scent…." (William Faulkner, Sanctuary) - Faulkner uses "fulgent" to paint a vivid picture of blooming trees.
"Both queens were outfitted with lush and representative mantles, white kid gloves, splendid jewelry and dazzling crowns to make a picture of fulgent finery." (Nell Nolan, Times-Picayune) - Here, "fulgent" describes the dazzling attire of queens.
"The sun, with all those planets revolving around it and dependent on it, can still ripen a bunch of grapes as if it had nothing else in the universe to do." (Galileo Galilei) - While not using "fulgent," this captures the sun's radiant power, a key aspect of "fulgent."
"There is no darkness so dense, so menacing, so difficult to penetrate, that it will not eventually weaken and dissipate before the rays of truth." (Vernon Howard) - This quote evokes the brilliance and illuminating power associated with "fulgent," even without the word itself.
"Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared." (Buddha) - This relates to the idea of radiance spreading outwards, similar to how "fulgent" describes something that shines brightly and affects its surroundings.
"A frightful explosion threw up a spout of earth, dust and rocks, interspersed with jets of fire, fulgent like lightning through thick clouds of smoke." (Winston Churchill, The River War) - Churchill uses "fulgent" to describe the intense fire amidst an explosion.
"The gorse, whose latest splendours won / Make all the fulgent wolds appear / Bright as the pastures of the sun." (Aubrey De Vere, "May Carols") - "Fulgent" describes the bright yellow gorse flowers illuminating the landscape.
"Her eyes, fulgent with unshed tears, caught the starlight and returned it with interest." – (Original quote, poetic/literary)
"The fulgent dawn broke over the hills like a whispered promise of new beginnings." – (Original quote, nature imagery)
Etymology
The word "fulgent" has its roots in the Latin verb "fulgēre," which means "to shine brightly" or "to flash." Think of lightning (or even a light bulb!)—that kind of brilliant, intense shine is what "fulgēre" is all about.
From "fulgēre," we get the Latin word "fulgent-, fulgens," which is like a form of the verb that acts as an adjective, meaning "shining." This is the direct ancestor of our English word "fulgent."
We started using "fulgent" in English way back in the 15th century. And guess what? It meant pretty much the same thing then as it does now: shining brightly, radiant, dazzling.
So, the next time you see "fulgent," remember it's all about that powerful, vibrant shine, and that the word has been lighting up our language for centuries!
Phrases + Idioms Containing Fulgent
Lesser-Known Phrases:
"Fulgent with promise": This phrase suggests someone or something is filled with potential and likely to be successful.
Original Phrases:
"A fulgent spirit": Describing someone with a radiant, positive personality.
"Fulgent with anger": This conveys intense, fiery anger.
"Eyes fulgent with tears": Describing eyes that are shining with tears, conveying strong emotion.
Idioms with Synonyms:
"Shine like a beacon": Similar to "fulgent," this emphasizes a bright, guiding light.
"Bright as day": Conveying obviousness or clarity, much like a "fulgent" truth would be clear and undeniable.
"Light up the room": This idiom, like "fulgent," can describe someone with a radiant personality who brings joy to others.
"Burning with passion": While not using "fulgent," it captures the intensity and fiery quality associated with the word.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of fulgent from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
