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Word of the Day

ephemeral

/ɪˈfɛmərəl/ adjective

1 Lasting for a very short time.

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serendipity

/ˌsɛrənˈdɪpɪti/ noun


  1. 1The occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way.

    “A fortunate stroke of serendipity led to the discovery of the lost manuscript.”
  2. 2An aptitude for making desirable discoveries by accident.


Etymology

Coined 1754 by Horace Walpole, suggested by The Three Princes of Serendip, the title of a Persian fairy tale.


serendipity

noun

Synonyms

fluke chance luck fortuity

blessing godsend coincidence happenstance

Antonyms

misfortune mishap calamity

unluckiness catastrophe

Usage Notes


Serendipity generally refers to a fortunate discovery or occurrence that happens unexpectedly.

Related

Word Trail

serendipity → fluke → chance → luck → fortune

serene

/səˈrin/adjective


  1. 1Completely clear and fine.

    “serene skies and a bright blue sea”
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serendipity

/ˌsɛrənˈdɪpɪti/ noun


  1. The occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way.

    “A fortunate stroke of serendipity led to the discovery of the lost manuscript.”

  2. An aptitude for making desirable discoveries by accident.


Quotations

“…discoveries, by accidents and sagacity, of things which they were not in quest of.”

Horace Walpole letter to Horace Mann, 1754

Etymology

Coined 1754 by Horace Walpole, suggested by The Three Princes of Serendip, the title of a Persian fairy tale.

Related

Word trail

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GHIL

  • ghillie

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  1. osnaburgnounA species of coarse linen, originally made in Osnaburg, Germany.
  2. ospreynounLarge harmless hawk found worldwide that feeds on fish and builds a bulky nest often occupied for years.
  3. osseousadjectiveComposed of or containing bone.
  4. ossiclenounA small bone.
  5. ossificationnounHardened conventionality.
  6. ossifyverbBecome bony.

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“For solitude sometimes is best society,
And short retirement urges sweet return.”

John Milton Paradise Lost

“Solitude is as needful to the imagination as society is wholesome for the character.”

James Russell Lowell

My Lexicon

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My Lexicon

  • serendipitynoun · fortunate discovery by chance
  • solitudenoun · the state of being alone
  • resiliencenoun · an occurrence of rebounding or springing back
  • ephemeraladjective · lasting for a very short time
  • limerencenoun · involuntary romantic infatuation

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serendipity noun

1 The occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way.

“A fortunate stroke of serendipity led to the discovery of the lost manuscript.”

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Light

ephemeral

/ɪˈfɛmərəl/ adjective

1 Lasting for a very short time.

“Fashions are ephemeral; the classics endure.”

Dark

ephemeral

/ɪˈfɛmərəl/ adjective

1 Lasting for a very short time.

“Fashions are ephemeral; the classics endure.”

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In this edition

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