epiphany
/i'pifəni/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A Christian feast day: Epiphany is a Christian holiday celebrated on January 6th, twelve days after Christmas. It commemorates the visit of the Magi (the three wise men) to the infant Jesus, representing the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles.
- A moment of sudden and profound understanding: An epiphany is a sudden, intuitive realization or insight into the essential nature or meaning of something, often experienced as an illuminating discovery.
Usage Examples
- Noun (Religious Feast):
- Many Christians attend church on Epiphany.
- The celebration of Epiphany marks the end of the Christmas season.
- Noun (Sudden Insight):
- She had an epiphany about the solution to the problem while taking a walk.
- The novel's climax occurs when the main character has a life-changing epiphany.
Advanced Usage
- "To have an epiphany": to experience a sudden, clear understanding.
- After years of research, the scientist finally had an epiphany that led to a breakthrough.
- "An epiphany moment": a specific instant of sudden revelation.
- His conversation with the old philosopher was an epiphany moment for him.
Variants and Related Words
- Epiphanic (adj): relating to or having the characteristics of an epiphany.
- The epiphanic nature of the experience changed her perspective completely.
Synonyms
- Revelation: A surprising and previously unknown fact that is made known.
- Realization: Becoming fully aware of something as a fact.
- Insight: The capacity to gain an accurate and deep understanding of someone or something.
Idioms and Common Phrases
- "A moment of epiphany": synonymous with "an epiphany," emphasizing the instantaneous nature of the insight.
- Staring at the finished painting, she had a moment of epiphany about her own artistic style.
Noun
- twelve days after Christmas; celebrates the visit of the three wise men to the infant Jesus
- a divine manifestation