Make Your Point > Archived Issues > NUMINOUS

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explore the archives: Something that awes you in a mystical, sublime, holy way is numinous. It's the adjective form of numen, meaning a god or the local spirit that presides over a place. See if you can recall this two-word synonym of numen: a genius ____ is the protective spirit of a particular place, or simply a place's general character or atmosphere. make your point with... "NUMINOUS" A numen is a god, or a spirit that watches over some particular place. So, something numinous fills you with a holy or mystical amazement, as if you're in the presence of a god. Pronunciation: NEW muh nuss Part of speech: Adjective. (Adjectives are describing words, like "large" or "late." They can be used in two ways: 1. Right before a noun, as in "a numinous thing." 2. After a linking verb, as in "It was numinous.") Other forms: numinously, numinosity/numinousness How to use it: You might talk about numinous power, a numinous authority, a numinous presence, a numinous significance, a numinous aspect or quality, a numinous allure, a numinous atmosphere or environment, etc. Although not many people you're talking to or writing for will know this word, the sound of it and the tone with which you say or write it will help people understand it. Here's an example from Sheri Linden for the L.A. Times: "[Screenwriter and director] Weerasethakul has a feel for the workaday as much as for the numinous." Notice there how the context and the tone of praise make it clear what "numinous" means? That brings us to one last point: like Ms. Linden did, we can talk about "the numinous," with no noun at all, to mean "things that are numinous:" "she paints with a sense of the numinous," "an evening that shimmered, full of the numinous." examples: I'm not a metaphysical person, but I'd like to visit Sedona and try to feel its numinous energy, like my mom once did. A numinous peace settled over us as we walked further along the stream. study it now: Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "numinous" means when you can explain it without saying "transcendent in a spiritual way" or "making you feel like God is closeby." try it out: Fill in the blanks: "For (me or someone I know), (something very important in a religious, spiritual, mystical, or deeply emotional way) holds a numinous (allure, charm, or significance)." Example: "For me, the mustard seed holds a numinous charm." before you review: Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first. This month, we're playing with the original and literal meanings of familiar words. I'll give you three words and their original or literal definitions, and you'll match them up. Easy! But then the following day, see if you can recall those old meanings. Hard! :) Our game has two purposes. One, we'll visit the interesting, thought-provoking old meanings of words. And two, we'll remind ourselves of a powerful learning strategy: delayed recalling. Let's play! First, try to recall from yesterday the literal meaning of "judo" and the original meanings of "issue" and "expensive." Answers appear at the bottom of this issue. Next, match these words to their original or literal definitions in the answer bank below: 1. "Ouch" originally meant _____ 2. "Matador" literally means _____ 3. "Recipe" originally meant _____ Answer bank: A. "a clasp or brooch." B. "a formula for a medicine." C. "killer." review today's word: 1. One opposite of NUMINOUS is A. RARE B. PHYSICAL C. DARKENED 2. Only a pessimist would say that _____ has robbed the world of the numinous. A. piracy B. science C. disease Answers are below. a final word: To be a sponsor and include your ad in an issue, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com Disclaimer: Word meanings presented here are expressed in plain language and are limited to common, useful applications only. Readers interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words are encouraged to check a dictionary. Likewise, word meanings, usage, and pronunciations are limited to American English; these elements may vary across world Englishes. Answers to game questions: 1. "Issue" originally meant "an exit or release." 2. "Judo" literally means "gentle way." 3. "Expensive" originally meant "willing to spend extravagantly." Answers to review questions: 1. B 2. B