- Today's Word
Mirancipation
[mir-an-sih-pey-shuh n]
Definition
- (noun) A portmanteau of “miracle” and “emancipation,” this term describes the liberating and awe-inspiring experience of having one’s senses awakened and freed from mundane constraints, allowing for a newfound appreciation of the miraculous beauty and wonder that surrounds us.
Example
The breathtaking natural scenery of the remote mountain range was a true mirancipation for the city-dwellers, as their senses were emancipated from the familiar sights, sounds, and smells of urban life, allowing them to fully embrace the miraculous splendor of nature’s grandeur.
Fun Fact
The concept of “mirancipation” celebrates the idea that our senses can be liberated from the ordinary and commonplace, allowing us to experience the world around us with a renewed sense of awe and wonder. It suggests that by breaking free from the constraints of routine and familiarity, we can unlock the ability to perceive the miraculous beauty that often goes unnoticed in our daily lives, awakening a deep appreciation for the extraordinary within the ordinary.
(adjective) Excessively smooth and flattering in a way that feels insincere; oily in manner or speech.
The unctuous sales manager greeted every client with the same practiced warmth — hand on the shoulder, lingering eye contact, a laugh perfectly timed to make you feel chosen — until you realized he did it with everyone.
Unctuous derives from the Medieval Latin unctuosus, meaning “greasy” or “oily,” rooted in unctum — “ointment” — from ungere, meaning “to anoint.” The same root gives us unguent and unction, the latter still used in religious contexts to describe the act of anointing with oil. It entered English in the 14th century with its literal meaning of oily or greasy texture before acquiring its figurative sense of someone whose excessive smoothness and flattery feels slippery and insincere — the social equivalent of something you can’t quite get a grip on.