phenomenon

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A psycholinguist will say that this phenomenon is working proof of Zipf's Law, which states loosely that one can generally determine the relative age of a particular word or phrase by how short it has become -- how many syllables it has shed in its course of existence, how slurred or simplified the pronunciation has become, and so on.

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Definitions (37)

Toggle American Heritage definitions American Heritage Dictionary (6)

  1. noun An occurrence, circumstance, or fact that is perceptible by the senses.
  2. noun An unusual, significant, or unaccountable fact or occurrence; a marvel.
  3. noun A remarkable or outstanding person; a paragon. See Synonyms at wonder.
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Examples

  • A psycholinguist will say that this phenomenon is working proof of Zipf's Law, which states loosely that one can generally determine the relative age of a particular word or phrase by how short it has become -- how many syllables it has shed in its course of existence, how slurred or simplified the pronunciation has become, and so on. —  VERBATIM: The Language Quarterly Vol VI No 4
  • Obviously, this phenomenon is a syntactic portmanteau, a compressing of two thoughts into one: "I miss seeing him." —  VERBATIM: The Language Quarterly Vol II No 4
  • The implication of an Irish monopoly of the phenomenon is unwarranted. —  VERBATIM: The Language Quarterly Vol 2 No 1
  • The mechanism underlying this phenomenon is illustrated by a statement made by movie critic Neal Gabler on Sneak PreviewsWILL-TV, Urbana, Illinois, Feb. 18, 1983. regarding the movie The Lord of the Flies: "They call some books a good read. —  VERBATIM: The Language Quarterly Vol XII No 3
  • "'Tis none of my idea," Ariane said disgustedly. —  Conan the Defender
 

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Phenomenon has been looked up 628 times, favorited 0 times, listed 22 times, and commented on once.

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Roget's II Roget's II: The New Thesaurus

Allen's Allen's Synonyms and Antonyms

Used in the same context Used in the Same Context

aspect ·  theory ·  event ·  manifestation ·  concept ·  influence ·  occurrence ·  incident ·  sensation ·  possibility
Roget's II: The New Thesaurus, Third Edition by the Editors of the American Heritage® Dictionary. Copyright © 2003, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Etymologies (2)

Toggle American Heritage etymologies American Heritage Dictionary (1)

  1. Late Latin phaenomenon, from Greek phainomenon, from neuter present participle of phainesthai, to appear; see bhā-1 in Indo-European roots.

Toggle Century etymologies Century Dictionary (1)

  1. Formerly also phænomenon; = French phénomène = German phänomen = Swedish fenomen = Danish fanomen = Spanish fenómeno = Italian fenomeno = Portuguese phenomeno, from Late Latin phænomenon, from Greek φαινόμενον, plural φαινόμενα, that which appears or is seen, neuter of passive participle of φαίνειν, shine, show, passive φαίνεσθαι, appear, from √ φαν, extended form of √ φα = Sanskrit bhā, shine: see phase, face, etc. Cf. phantasm, phantom, phantasy, fancy, etc.
 

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/fəˈnɑmɛnɑn/
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