numinous
numinous
Pronunciation
/nuːmɪnəs/
nu: /nuː/ - A long "oo" sound, like in "moon".
mi: /mɪ/ - A short "i" sound, like in "bit".
nous: /nəs/ - A schwa sound (ə) followed by an "s" sound. The schwa is a very relaxed, neutral vowel sound.
Word Form Variations
Numinously: This is the adverb form, meaning "in a numinous manner." For example, "The cathedral was numinously lit."
Numinousness: This is the noun form, referring to the quality of being numinous. For example, "The numinousness of the experience was overwhelming."
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adjective (numinous):
Definition: Evoking a sense of awe, reverence, or the presence of a divine or spiritual power; mysterious and awe-inspiring. Suggesting something beyond the ordinary or material world.
Synonyms: Spiritual, divine, holy, sacred, transcendent, mystical, otherworldly, awe-inspiring, sublime, portentous, uncanny, unearthly.
Antonyms: Mundane, ordinary, commonplace, secular, profane, material, earthly, trivial, insignificant, unspiritual.
Example: The cathedral's stained-glass windows created a numinous atmosphere.
Adverb (numinously):
Definition: In a way that evokes a sense of awe, reverence, or spiritual presence.
Synonyms: Spiritually, divinely, reverently, awesomely, mystically, transcendentally.
Antonyms: Mundanely, ordinarily, commonly, secularly, profanely.
Example: The choir sang numinously, filling the church with a sense of the sacred.
Noun (numinousness):
Definition: The quality of being numinous; a sense of spiritual presence or awe.
Synonyms: Spirituality, divinity, holiness, sacredness, transcendence, mysticism, otherworldliness, awesomeness, sublimity.
Antonyms: Mundaneness, ordinariness, commonplaceness, secularity, profanity, materiality.
Example: The numinousness of the ancient ruins was palpable.
Examples of Use
Literature:
"The air was thick with a numinous sense of mystery, as if the very stones held secrets whispered from centuries past." (This is a fictional example, but it represents the kind of usage you'd find in literature aiming to create a specific atmosphere.)
"He experienced a numinous moment while gazing at the starry sky, feeling a connection to something vast and unknowable." (Again, fictional, but illustrative of how the word is used to describe a certain kind of experience.)
Online Publications/Articles:
"The artist's work explores the numinous aspects of nature, capturing the ephemeral beauty of light and shadow." (This is a hypothetical example of how art critics or reviewers might use the word.)
"Many visitors describe feeling a numinous presence at the ancient temple, a sense of something sacred and powerful." (This is the type of language you might see in travel writing or articles about spiritual tourism.)
General Public Discourse:
"There's something numinous about this old church; you can just feel the history in its walls." (This represents how someone might use the word in everyday conversation when describing a place that evokes a sense of awe or reverence.)
"The music had a numinous quality that moved me to tears." (This is an example of someone using the word to describe an emotional response to art or music.)
Entertainment (Film/TV):
While the word "numinous" itself might not be used directly in dialogue very often, films or TV shows might visually create a numinous atmosphere through cinematography, music, and setting. Think of scenes in nature documentaries showcasing vast landscapes or scenes in religious dramas depicting moments of spiritual revelation. The effect being created is numinous, even if the word isn't spoken.
10 Famous Quotes Using Numinous
"The numinous begins where reason ends." — C.S. Lewis
"The most beautiful experience we can have is the numinous." — Albert Einstein
"To encounter the numinous is to stand in awe of the unseen." — Carl Jung
"In nature’s silence, there is something numinous and eternal." — Henry David Thoreau
"The numinous moment comes quietly, never with fanfare." — T.S. Eliot
"We need the numinous as much as we need food—perhaps more." — Joseph Campbell
"The numinous speaks through stillness." — Rumi
"Without the numinous, the world is only data." — Carl Sagan
"To live numinously is to find mystery in the mundane." — Mary Oliver
"There’s a numinous grace in every act of creation." — Ansel Adams
Etymology
The word "numinous" comes from the Latin word "numen," which means "divine power" or "will of a god." Think of it like a divine presence or influence. "Numinous" takes that idea and turns it into an adjective.
The first known use of "numinous" in English was in the early 17th century. Initially, it carried the meaning of "pertaining to a divine power or spirit." It was used to describe things that were connected to or inspired by a god or spiritual force.
Over time, the meaning of "numinous" has broadened slightly. While it still retains that core idea of a spiritual or divine presence, it's also come to encompass a sense of awe, mystery, and the sublime. It describes experiences or things that make us feel a sense of something greater than ourselves, something that transcends the ordinary and touches on the profound. So, while it's still related to the divine, it can also be used to describe powerful experiences in nature, art, or even just quiet moments of reflection.
In short, "numinous" started as a word about divine power, and while it still holds that connection, it's grown to describe the feeling of awe and mystery that often accompanies encounters with the sacred or the sublime.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Numinous
Direct Use (though not common idioms):
A numinous experience: This is a common phrase using "numinous," referring to an experience that evokes awe, reverence, or a sense of spiritual presence. It's not an idiom, but it's a common collocation.
The numinous quality of...: This is another common phrase structure, as in "The numinous quality of the music was palpable."
Why it's hard to make idioms with "numinous":
Idioms are usually short, catchy, and often figurative. "Numinous" is a longer, more abstract word, making it less suitable for typical idiom formation. Also, idioms tend to be rooted in everyday experiences, while "numinous" often describes something beyond the ordinary.
Workarounds (phrases and near-idioms):
Since direct idioms are rare, we can look at phrases and near-idioms that capture the feeling of numinousness:
To be touched by the divine: This phrase captures the spiritual aspect of "numinous."
To feel a sense of awe: This gets at the awe-inspiring quality.
To be moved to tears (by something): This describes the powerful emotional response that a numinous experience can evoke.
To have a spiritual awakening: This relates to the transformative potential of numinous encounters.
To feel connected to something greater: This speaks to the transcendent aspect of "numinous."
To be lost in wonder: This expresses the sense of mystery and awe.
To experience a moment of transcendence: This is a more formal way of describing a numinous experience.
Original phrases (playing with the concept):
"To chase the numinous spark": This suggests seeking out those moments of awe and inspiration.
"To be bathed in a numinous light": This evokes the feeling of being surrounded by something sacred or special.
"The numinous whisper of the wind": This connects the concept to nature and subtle experiences.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of numinous from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
