- Today's Word
Solstalgia
[sol-stal-jee-uh]
Definition
- (noun) This evocative term combines “solstice,” representing the point in the year when the sun reaches its highest or lowest point, with “nostalgia,” signifying a sentimental longing for the past. It’s used to describe the wistful feeling associated with the changing seasons, especially during solstices.
Example
Imagine standing in the crisp air of a winter solstice, surrounded by the beauty of nature transitioning to a new phase. It’s not just a seasonal shift; it’s a Solstalgia. You might say, “Every winter solstice brings a sense of Solstalgia. The changing landscapes and the memories associated with this time of year create a beautifully nostalgic atmosphere.”
Fun Fact
“Solstice” refers to the point in the year when the sun reaches its highest or lowest point, marking a change in seasons, while “nostalgia” signifies a sentimental longing for the past. “Solstalgia” creatively combines these concepts to celebrate the wistful feelings associated with the changing seasons.
(adjective) Optimistic or positive, especially in a difficult situation; having a confident and cheerful outlook.
Despite the project being weeks behind schedule, Maya remained sanguine, convinced that the team would pull together and deliver something remarkable.
Sanguine comes from the Latin sanguis, meaning “blood,” and entered English through Old French in the 14th century. It originally referred to one of the four humors of medieval medicine — blood being the humor associated with a cheerful, confident temperament. Someone with a “sanguine” constitution was literally thought to have blood as their dominant bodily fluid, producing an optimistic and rosy disposition.