Words / C2

NYOOM-in-uh-s/ˈnjuːmɪnəs/

Numinous means filled with a mysterious spiritual presence or awe (literary / formal): a numinous silence, the numinous in the landscape. Sacred and holy are everyday religious cousins; hallowed (already in the dictionary) is made holy by tradition. Do not let a numinous brand film stand in for a fire procedure.

Meaning

Suggesting a mysterious spiritual presence or awe (literary / formal).

Examples

• “A numinous logo on the cover does not bless an empty n.”
• “Sacred / holy are the plain religious words. Hallowed is tradition-holy (already in C2). Awe is the feeling. A chapel can be numinous. A cover device is design. Atmosphere is not a methods sentence. The n still has to be a number.”

Good to know

Spiritually awe-inspiring. Everyday: sacred / holy. Close: hallowed (already in C2). Awe ≠ a sample size.

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