eminency

American  

[em-uh-nuhn-see] / ˈɛm ə nən si /

noun

plural

eminencies

1. a less common variant of eminence.

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Usage

What does eminency mean? Eminency is a much less common variant of eminence—a position of superiority, high rank or status, or fame. Both words mean the state of being eminent—high in station, rank, or reputation. Someone who is eminent is prominent or distinguished in some way, especially within a particular field. The word is often associated with scholars. Eminence is similar to prominence but is perhaps even more positive. Someone who is prominent is well-known and often important. Someone who is considered eminent is often both well-known and well-respected. Still, the words are often used in overlapping ways. Eminence is used in a more specific way as a title or a way of addressing a high-ranking official within a hierarchy. In the Catholic Church, it’s used to address a cardinal. Eminency is sometimes used this way as well. When it is, it’s usually capitalized and used with a pronoun, as in Your Eminency. Example: He has achieved eminency in his field of study and is one of the most highly regarded academics in the nation.

Example Sentences

They further agree in assigning to the Parthians a respectable military character, yet one of no very special eminency.

From The Seven Great Monarchies Of The Ancient Eastern World, Vol 6. (of 7): Parthia The History, Geography, And Antiquities Of Chaldaea, Assyria, Babylon, Media, Persia, Parthia, And Sassanian or New Persian Empire; With Maps and Illustrations. by Rawlinson, George

Consider Hobbes: "The passion of laughter is nothing else but sudden glory arising from the sudden conception of eminency in ourselves by comparison with the inferiority of others, or with our own formerly."

From Toaster's Handbook Jokes, Stories, and Quotations by Fanning, C. E. (Clara Elizabeth)

This rhetoric, or power to fix the momentary eminency of an object,—so remarkable in Burke, in Byron, in Carlyle,—the painter and sculptor exhibit in color and in stone.

From Essays — First Series by Emerson, Ralph Waldo

The mother of Jesus here adopts the prophetic style, speaking of the future character of her illustrious Son as though he were already born, and had attained to that eminency to which he was predestined.

From Female Scripture Biographies, Volume II by Cox, Francis Augustus

This name is clear, “he is a God of truth,” not only a true God, but truth itself: to note his excellency and eminency in it.

From The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning by Binning, Hugh