phenomenon
2 entries found.
phenomenon
phi phenomenon
Main Entry: phe·nom·e·non
Pronunciation: \fi-ˈnä-mə-ˌnän, -nən\
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural phe·nom·e·na \-nə, -ˌnä\ or phe·nom·e·nons
Etymology: Late Latin phaenomenon, from Greek phainomenon, from neuter of phainomenos, present participle of phainesthai to appear, middle voice of phainein to show — more at fancy
Date: 1605
1plural phenomena : an observable fact or event
2plural phenomena a: an object or aspect known through the senses rather than by thought or intuition b: a temporal or spatiotemporal object of sensory experience as distinguished from a noumenon c: a fact or event of scientific interest susceptible to scientific description and explanation
3 a: a rare or significant fact or event bplural phenomenons : an exceptional, unusual, or abnormal person, thing, or occurrence
usage see phenomena