phenomenon English · revision 7550

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1583|origins=grc φαίνω}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /fəˈnɒm.ɪ.nən/, /fɪ-/ ''(UK)''; /fəˈnɑ.məˌnɑn/, /-nən/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|la-lat|phaenomenon]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from Greek [[m|grc|φαινόμενον|tr=phainómenon|t=that which appears]], the neuter present participle of [[m|grc|φαίνομαι|tr=phaínesthai|t=to appear]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) passive of phaínein, to show (see [[fantasy]]),^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) from PIE [[ine-pro|*bʰeh₂-|alt=*bha-|t=to shine]].^(Etymonline) The plural is phenomena.^(Etymonline)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A fact or thing perceived, an occurrence: 1583 in MWU, the 1570s in Etymonline;^(MWU 2024)^(Etymonline) 1625, in Bacon's ''Essays'', in Barnhart.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ ''To save the phenomena'', translating Greek, is from 1625.^(OED 1989) An extraordinary occurrence or prodigy is first recorded in the Junius Letters (1771).^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) In philosophy, an immediate object of experience, it is from 1788.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) The adjective ''phenomenal'' is from 1825, in Coleridge, and remarkable from 1850.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1583 – a thing perceived.^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1625 – save the phenomena.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1771 – an extraordinary occurrence.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1788 – in philosophy.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A fact or [[occurrence]] that can be perceived by the senses.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # An unusual or remarkable fact or event; a [[marvel]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A remarkable person.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(philosophy)'' That which appears real to the senses, as opposed to the thing in itself.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[epiphenomenon]]

+ * [[phenom]]

+ * [[phenomenal]]

+ * [[phenomenalism]]

+ * [[phenomenology]]

+ * [[phi phenomenon]]

+ * [[Raynaud's phenomenon]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[-phane]]

+ * [[phene]]

+ * [[pheno-]]

+ * [[phenotype]]

+ * [[fantasy]]

+ * [[phantom]]

+ * [[phase]]

+ * [[emphasis]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ The plural is phenomena for the senses of fact and occurrence, while phenomenons is used of remarkable people.^(AHD) SOED notes the non-standard use of phenomena as a singular.^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}