phenomenon

Definition

A thing or being, event or process, perceptible through senses; or a fact or occurrence thereof.

Etymology

From Late Latin phaenomenon (“appearance”), from Ancient Greek φαινόμενον (phainómenon, “thing appearing to view”), neuter present middle participle of φαίνω (phaínō, “I show”).

Example Sentences

• "The year 1866 was signalised by a remarkable incident, a mysterious and inexplicable phenomenon, which doubtless no one has yet forgotten."
• "The Indians, making a hasty inference from a trivial phenomenon, arrived unawares at a probably correct conclusion."
• "In the sense in which we are using the term, the intellectuals are in fact a fairly new phenomenon of history."

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