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Definitions

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

  1. n. A Christian feast celebrating the manifestation of the divine nature of Jesus to the Gentiles as represented by the Magi.
  2. n. January 6, on which this feast is traditionally observed.
  3. n. A revelatory manifestation of a divine being.
  4. n. A sudden manifestation of the essence or meaning of something.
  5. n. A comprehension or perception of reality by means of a sudden intuitive realization: "I experienced an epiphany, a spiritual flash that would change the way I viewed myself” ( Frank Maier).

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

  1. n. An appearance; manifestation of one's presence: used especially with reference to appearances of a deity.
  2. n. Among the ancient Greeks, a festival held in commemoration of the appearance of a god in any particular place.
  3. n. [capitalized] A Christian festival, closing the series of Christmas observances, celebrated on the 6th of January, the twelfth day after Christmas (hence called Twelfth-day), in commemoration of the manifestations of Christ to the world as the Son of God, in the West especially that to the Gentiles through the visit of the Magi in his infancy. It was early instituted in the East in celebration both of his nativity and of his baptism, the former being afterward transferred to the 25th of December. In the West it has been observed since the fourth century with special reference to the visit of the Magi or the three kings, with which are combined in the Roman Catholic Church his baptism and his first miracle at Cana of Galilee.

Wiktionary

  1. n. A manifestation or appearance of a divine or superhuman being.
  2. n. An illuminating realization or discovery, often resulting in a personal feeling of elation, awe, or wonder.
  3. n. Season or time of the Christian church year from the Epiphany feast day to Mardi Gras (Shrove Tuesday), the day before Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent (See Epiphany).

GNU Webster's 1913

  1. n. An appearance, or a becoming manifest.
  2. n. A church festival celebrated on the 6th of January, the twelfth day after Christmas, in commemoration of the visit of the Magi of the East to Bethlehem, to see and worship the child Jesus; or, as others maintain, to commemorate the appearance of the star to the Magi, symbolizing the manifestation of Christ to the Gentles; Twelfthtide.

WordNet 3.0

  1. n. a divine manifestation
  2. n. twelve days after Christmas; celebrates the visit of the three wise men to the infant Jesus

Etymologies

  1. Middle English epiphanie, from Old French, from Late Latin epiphania, from Greek epiphaneia, manifestation, from epiphainesthai, to appear : epi-, forth; see epi- + phainein, phan-, to show; see bhā-1 in Indo-European roots.

Examples

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Lists

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  • Louises I sincerely hoped they wouldn't kill her. Surviving this experience might be just the epiphany to get her out of prostitution. From "The Last Werewolf" by Glen Duncan. Feb 28, 2012

  • john “Monday was Russian Orthodox Epiphany, and roughly 30,000 Muscovites lined up to dunk themselves in icy rivers and ponds, city officials said. The annual ritual baptism, which is believed to wash away sins, is enjoying a boisterous revival after being banished to villages during the Soviet era.�?

    The New York Times, Russians Strengthen Their Faith and a Tradition With an Icy Water Plunge , by Ellen Barry, January 20, 2009 Jan 21, 2009

  • sanfordc A brilliant theory. Joyce uses the word to link his secular theories of aesthetics to the spiritual significance of the epiphany season. Epiphany: A transcendental force. Oct 27, 2008

  • misterpolly Effect suffered by protagonists of Joyce's Dubliners. Supposed to help them get over the paralysis inflicted by their dull lives in what Joyce sees as a dull city. Never seems to work. Dec 27, 2007

  • cosmican A moment of sudden understanding or revelation
    Citation: Three days ago, I had an epiphany... Nov 19, 2007

  • lampbane The Christian celebration in honor of the revelation of Jesus (God in human form) to man. Also commemorates the visit of the Magi, or Three Wise Men. The twelfth day of Christmas (Twelfth Night). Jan 9, 2007

  • andrew.simone the adjectival form is epiphanic. Dec 7, 2006

‘epiphany’ has been looked up 5226 times, loved by 28 people, added to 180 lists, commented on 7 times, and has a Scrabble score of 18.