The Lexicon Obscura

Everlasting, without beginning or end. Technically a synonym for “eternal,” but carrying considerably more weight — the kind of word that implies the speaker has thought carefully about the nature of time rather than simply reaching for the nearest adjective. Used in theology, philosophy, and the occasional overwrought poem.

Example

“The mountains stood in sempiternal silence, indifferent to the generations that rose and fell at their feet.”

Origin

From the Latin semper (always) and aeternus (eternal). Entered English in the 14th century, spent the next seven centuries being underused.

Rarity ●●●●●

For when “eternal” simply isn’t doing enough work.

Having a strong spiritual quality — evoking a sense of the divine, the transcendent, or the mysteriously powerful. The particular combination of fascination and terror that arises in the presence of something vast and beyond ordinary comprehension. Standing alone under a genuinely dark sky. Walking into a cathedral that was built before your country existed. Watching a storm move across open water.

Example

“Standing alone in the ancient forest at dusk, she felt something numinous — as if the trees themselves were watching.”

Origin

From the Latin numen (divine will or power). Popularized by philosopher Rudolf Otto in his 1917 work The Idea of the Holy, where he used it to describe the irreducible core of religious experience.

Rarity ●●●●●

“Awe-inspiring” is fine. This is better. Use it when something actually warrants it.

Relating to or resembling twilight — the brief period of dim, uncertain light between day and night. In biology, specifically describes animals most active at dawn and dusk (deer, rabbits, many moths, bats). Distinct from nocturnal (night only) and diurnal (day only). Crepuscular animals are nature’s creatures of ambiguity.

Example

“Deer are crepuscular animals, most active in the soft, uncertain light between day and night.”

Origin

From the Latin crepusculum (twilight, dusk). Entered English in the 17th century. Has been a perfectly good word ever since, largely ignored in favor of “twilighty,” which is not a word.

Rarity ●●●●●

Legitimately useful if you ever write about nature. Also very satisfying to say. Go on, try it.

A dispute about words — particularly one that has lost sight of the actual subject and collapsed into debating definitions. Extremely common in academic settings, corporate meetings, and the internet in general. The meeting that spends forty minutes on what the word “stakeholder” means and never actually addresses the project. The comment thread that derails immediately into “well, technically the definition of ‘literally’ is…” You have been in this meeting. You have been in this comment thread.

Example

“The meeting devolved into pure logomachy — an hour spent arguing over what ‘innovation’ actually means.”

Origin

From the Greek logos (word) and mache (battle). Entered English in the 16th century, back when people apparently had the same problem.

Rarity ●●●●●

Deploying this word mid-meeting to describe what is currently happening is high risk, high reward.

A yearning or painful longing, particularly for something lost — a person, a time, a version of life that no longer exists. More specific than nostalgia (which can be pleasant), more personal than grief (which can be collective), and quieter than both. The feeling that arrives when a particular song plays, or a particular smell appears, connected to something you cannot get back.

Example

“Years after the loss, a quiet desiderium settled in her chest whenever she heard that particular song.”

Origin

From the Latin desiderare — itself thought to derive from de sidere, meaning “from the stars,” suggesting the feeling of looking at the sky and sensing an absence. Used by Cicero and Horace. Has been waiting for a revival ever since.

Rarity ●●●●●

The etymology alone — “from the stars” — makes this worth knowing. Cicero used it. You can too.