Nearby Words

phenomena

[fi-nom-uh-nuh] Example Sentences Origin

phe·nom·e·na

[fi-nom-uh-nuh]
noun
a plural of phenomenon.
phenomena, phenomenal, phenomenon (see usage note at phenomenon).

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Phenomena is always a great word to know.
So is gobo. Does it mean:
a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison.
a screen or mat covered with a dark material for shielding a camera lens from excess light or glare.
Example Sentences
  • Actually they are fundamentally different phenomena.
  • Each one of these phenomena is physically impossible.
  • Two political phenomena are shaping this election.
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Dictionary.com Unabridged

phe·nom·e·non

[fi-nom-uh-non, -nuhn]
noun, plural -na [-nuh] or, especially for 3, -nons.
1.
a fact, occurrence, or circumstance observed or observable: to study the phenomena of nature.
2.
something that is impressive or extraordinary.
3.
a remarkable or exceptional person; prodigy; wonder.
4.
Philosophy.
a.
an appearance or immediate object of awareness in experience.
b.
Kantianism. a thing as it appears to and is constructed by the mind, as distinguished from a noumenon, or thing-in-itself.

Origin:
1595–1605; < Late Latin phaenomenon < Greek phainómenon appearance, noun use of neuter of phainómenos, present participle of phaínesthai to appear, passive of phaínein to show

 phenomena, phenomenal, phenomenon (see usage note at the current entry).


1. event, incident. 2, 3. marvel, miracle.


As with other plurals of Latin or Greek origin, like media and criteria, there is a tendency to use the plural phenomena as a singular (This phenomena will not be seen again), but such use occurs infrequently in edited writing. The plural form phenomenas, though occasionally seen, has even less currency.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Collins
World English Dictionary
phenomena (fɪˈnɒmɪnə)
 
n
a plural of phenomenon

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

phenomenon
1570s, "fact, occurrence," from L.L. phænomenon, from Gk. phainomenon "that which appears or is seen," noun use of neut. prp. of phainesthai "to appear," passive of phainein (see phantasm). Meaning "extraordinary occurrence" first recorded 1771. Plural is phenomena.
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Shortened form phenom is baseball slang, first recorded 1890.

phenomena
pl. of phenomenon. Sometimes also erroneously used as a singular.
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

phenomenon phe·nom·e·non (fĭ-nŏm'ə-nŏn', -nən)
n. pl. phe·nom·e·na (-nə)

  1. An occurrence, a circumstance, or a fact that is perceptible by the senses, especially one in relation to a disease.

  2. pl. phenome·nons An unusual, significant, or unaccountable fact or occurrence; a marvel.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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