- Today's Word
Diaphanous
dy-AF-uh-nuhs
Definition
- (adjective) Light, delicate, and translucent, especially of fabric or material.
Example
The bride’s diaphanous veil shimmered in the sunlight, lending an ethereal quality to her appearance.
Fun Fact
“Diaphanous” originates from the Greek words dia- (through) and phainein (to show), literally meaning “showing through.” Initially used to describe gauzy fabrics, it evolved to depict anything exquisitely delicate or translucent, including light, ideas, or emotions. The word often evokes imagery of romantic or dreamlike scenes, making it a favorite in poetry and art criticism.
(noun) A person who believes that the pursuit of pleasure and sensory enjoyment is the highest good and chief aim of life
A self-proclaimed hedonist, she planned her entire sabbatical around exceptional food, warm weather, and long afternoons with nothing to do.
Hedonist derives from the Greek hedone, meaning “pleasure” or “delight,” from hedys (“sweet”). The philosophical school of Hedonism was formally developed in ancient Greece — most notably by Epicurus, who argued that pleasure, properly understood, was the foundation of a good life. The word entered English in the 19th century as both a philosophical term and a descriptor for those who live purely for sensory gratification.