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View synonyms for epiphany

epiphany

[ ih-pif-uh-nee ]

noun

, plural e·piph·a·nies.
  1. (initial capital letter) a Christian festival, observed on January 6, commemorating the manifestation of Christ to the gentiles in the persons of the Magi; Twelfth-day.
  2. an appearance or manifestation, especially of a deity.
  3. a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely, or commonplace occurrence or experience.
  4. a literary work or section of a work presenting, usually symbolically, such a moment of revelation and insight.


epiphany

1

/ ˌɛpɪˈfænɪk; ɪˈpɪfənɪ /

noun

  1. the manifestation of a supernatural or divine reality
  2. any moment of great or sudden revelation
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


Epiphany

2

/ ɪˈpɪfənɪ /

noun

  1. a Christian festival held on Jan 6, commemorating, in the Western Church, the manifestation of Christ to the Magi and, in the Eastern Church, the baptism of Christ
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Epiphany

  1. A festival in Christianity celebrating the visit of the Wise Men to the infant Jesus . Epiphany means “a showing forth” — in this case a showing forth of Jesus to the Gentiles .


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Derived Forms

  • epiphanic, adjective
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Other Words From

  • ep·i·phan·ic [ep-, uh, -, fan, -ik], e·pipha·nous adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of epiphany1

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English epiphanie, from Late Latin epiphanīa, from Late Greek epipháneia, from Greek: “apparition,” equivalent to epi- epi- ( def ) + phan- (stem of phaínein “to appear”) + -eia -y 3( def )
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Word History and Origins

Origin of epiphany1

C17: via Church Latin from Greek epiphaneia an appearing, from epi- + phainein to show
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Example Sentences

She had an epiphany that day, deciding at 12 that her calling was not just to become No.

No flashes of insight, no grand epiphanies, just slow and steady deliberation over subtle details.

More often than not, I went out again after logging my daily practice hour because I’d had some epiphany I wanted to explore.

Every time I’ve had an epiphany I would see the number on a bus, or on the clock— just very interesting places.

He is a former oil and gas executive who nowadays leads a small nonprofit — the result of a personal epiphany — and is tackling global warming one well at a time.

Richard Kurin was a 19-year-old anthropology student in India when he experienced his material culture epiphany.

Zaks experienced an epiphany of sorts a couple years ago, when he was looking through a book of Tony Walton illustrations.

While watching The Ten Commandments on TV with their children for the umpteenth time, Burnett and Downey had an epiphany.

This was an epiphany, this was imprinted on you, you could do anything now.

The teenager went to rehab, and then went right back to using—until he had an epiphany.

Their escape was made at midnight on the eve of Epiphany, 1649, all the court following in great disorder.

Neophytes should therefore be baptized at Easter and Pentecost alone, never at Epiphany.

So careful is the poet to prepare both sides—the divine epiphany, and the mortal who is to behold it.

He thought the lessons of the Nativity and Epiphany came as a very wholesome corrective to these tendencies.

There is nothing of him now in Florence, save a few drawings in the Uffizi and an unfinished picture of the Epiphany.

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What Is The Feast Of The Epiphany?

What is the Feast of the Epiphany?

The Feast of the Epiphany (often simply called Epiphany) is a Christian holiday. In the Western Church, it celebrates the revelation of Jesus as the Christ (the prophesied Messiah or Savior) to the Magi (popularly known as the three wise men) and to all Gentiles (non-Jews).

In the Eastern Church, the Epiphany commemorates the baptism of Jesus and the revelation of his divinity.

The Feast of the Epiphany is considered the twelfth and final day of the Christmas celebration.

For this reason, it is sometimes called Twelfth Day.

Many Christians observe the Epiphany as the end of the Christmas season and it is traditional to leave up Christmas decorations until this day.

In some places, the Feast of the Epiphany is considered to mark the start of Carnival season—the period of feasting and merriment before Lent.

When is the Feast of the Epiphany?

The Feast of the Epiphany is commonly observed on January 6. In some branches of the Eastern Church, it is celebrated on January 19. In either case, it is observed 12 days after Christmas.

More information and context on the Feast of the Epiphany

The word epiphany can be used in a general way to refer to “an appearance or manifestation, especially of a deity,” and this is what the Feast of the Epiphany commemorates. It is among the oldest Christian holidays.

The Feast of the Epiphany is celebrated in different ways around the world, including with special cakes. In some places, people exchange gifts on Epiphany rather than Christmas.

What are some terms that often get used in discussing the Feast of the Epiphany?

How is the Feast of the Epiphany discussed in real life?

The Feast of the Epiphany is observed by many Christians as the end of the Christmas season. It is traditional to take down Christmas decorations on the day.

 

Try using the Feast of the Epiphany!

True or False?

The Feast of the Epiphany is considered the twelfth day of the Christmas celebration.

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