10 Beautiful Words To Appreciate
Start writing a post
Arts Entertainment

9 Beautiful Words And Why They Matter

While pictures can give form to the world around us, it is words that give birth to raw imagination and distinction.

146
9 Beautiful Words And Why They Matter

Words bind the world together. Without them, we would be a rather humorous collection of grunting, sniveling idiots--maybe we already are. Anyways, it is words that inspire men, make women go weak at the knees and help children develop into adults. Words and their meanings are rooted deeply in our everyday lives and, sometimes, they are worthy of a closer look.

Petrichor 

We'll start with a beauty of a word, pronounced pet-ri-kor.

i.vimeocdn.com

The word means as the picture alludes, "The smell of earth after a rain." Whoopie, right? But there's something about the thought of the refreshing fall of a summer rain that comforts the soul. The parched earth is replenished by waves of life-giving essence, and we are gifted the soothing scent of a healing world. On an interesting side note, the etymology of petrichor is nearly as beautiful as the word itself. The word has its roots in the ancient Greek words "petra" (meaning stone) and "ichor" (the fluid that ran through the veins of the gods). When you stop and think, rain and the life that it brings are gifts from our Creator and we get to relish in it.

Rantipole 

Pronounced ran-ti-pole.

upload.wikimedia.org

No, it doesn't mean Madonna. But, suiting enough, used a noun, it does mean a wild and reckless person. Madonna comes to mind, no? The versatility of rantipole adds to it's attractiveness. It can be used as a noun, a verb and an adjective and they all revolve around untamed beauty and wild abandon. I doubt that you'll walk around town hearing people spout of rantipole in everyday conversation, but maybe that's alright. It's a unique word meant for unique people.

Orphic

Pronounced or-fik

c1.staticflickr.com

The word orphic actually comes from the noun Orphism which is a, "name given to a set of religious beliefs and practices originating in the ancient Greek and Hellenistic world" according to Merriam Webster's Dictionary. The word orphic is an adjective which means mysterious and entrancing or beyond ordinary understanding. Why not replace three words with one, short, concise and beautiful word? Our understanding of the world is finite and ever-changing and a word such as orphic helps us to describe it just a little bit more.

Brontide 

Pronounced bron-tide.

c1.staticflickr.com

I must have an affinity for words describing weather because brontide means, "the low rumble of distant thunder." Like most of the words on this list, brontide has her roots in Ancient Greek. Bront meant thunder and ide came from the Greek word id which roughly means, "child of or descendant of." Think about it. Child of thunder. I got goosebumps typing that out.

Slubberdegullion 

Pronounced slubber-de-gul-e-on

orig00.deviantart.net

Every list has to have a class clown and this is it. The words roughly means a slovenly or unkempt person, a fool if you will. I have to admit that some words give away their meanings before you even know, which I suppose it the purpose of language. Many words are ethereal, transcendent, or just downright gorgeous whilst others are goofy--like slubberdegullion. It seems like a lot of effort to through after such a simple meaning word, seriously try saying it 3 times fast, but it's worth it because it's such an interesting word.

Zephyr 

Pronounced ze-feer.

c1.staticflickr.com

Awww, Beware, whilst other words sound like what they try to communicate, seems to be the dark sister. The zing of the "z" in the word misleads one to think it could possibly mean spirited, spry or energetic. However, the world itself means a gentle, mild breeze; it brings a pleasant sensation on a warm summer day. We all know the feeling. You're walking down a shaded grove on the river-walk when a gust of warm, eastern winds suddenly flow over you. You never know what you might stumble upon when you research words, let me tell you.

Virago 

Pronounced ve-rago.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/155754835@N04/36174821325

This word is like a double-edged sword. I found two meanings, both revolving around women with distinct connotations. The first meaning for virago that I found stated that it means a "strong, brave, or warlike woman," the second definition I found stated that it means a, "a domineering, violent, or bad-tempered woman." *Silence* I don't know about you but these meanings seem quite different in their tone, their reverence and their respect towards women. I wonder if the first meaning I found was a result of the feminist revolution of the 1980's whilst the second meaning I found was the original. Beware if someone calls you a virago, it's all about circumstance I suppose.

Brumal 

Pronounced broo-muhl

c1.staticflickr.com

Simply stated, brumal can be used in place of the word wintry. I love the simplicity of it. Weather has powerful, oftentimes intrinsic, meanings and I love the word brumal. Next time you get a heavy snow, take a quick look out your window and think to yourself, "What a beautiful, brumal day."

Metanoia 

Pronounced meta-noy-a

c1.staticflickr.com

Like it's better known cousin, paranoia, metanoia has everything to do with decisions, the mind and changing. The Ancient Greek word, meta, means after or beyond whilst noia stems from the suffix "nous" meaning mind. Metanoia altogether means to change one's mind, behavior, or way of seeing the world. There's value in change, no different than value in a word that denotes change.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

52502
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

33733
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

956487
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

181328
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments