Word Festival Part 2: Captivating Words to Use in Your Stories
From ephemeral phosphenes and wanderlust to orphic and petrichor.
1. Phosphenes
Noun. Colorful rings or spots that are visible when eyes are closed.
Do you remember those bright, colorful spots you saw when you closed your eyes as a child? They are called phosphenes.
The little girl rubbed her eyes to see the phosphenes.
When I was little, I used to play with the phosphenes every night.
2. Ephemeral
Adj. Lasting for a very short time.
ephemeral beauty
We are all lost in this ephemeral life of ours.
The ephemerally beautiful life of cherry blossoms.
3. Petrichor
Noun. The pleasant, earthy smell produced when rain falls on dry soil.
The first rains after a long dry spell bring out an unmistakable perfume, often strongest in spring and summer, known as petrichor. — The Sunday Times (2014)
Petrichor- the magical phenomenon that occurs when rainwater kisses arid land.
She was obsessed with the magical scent of petrichor.
4. Cosmogyral
Adj.
Whirling around the universe
Swirling amid the cosmos
Oh, how do I put an end to these cosmogyral thoughts of mine!
I wish I were a cosmogyral, heavenly body.
5. Wanderlust
Noun.
The strong desire to roam about, to wander and explore.
The impulse or longing to travel and wander around.
He was smitten by wanderlust and a desire for life away from the humdrum.
His wanderlust would not allow him to stay long in one spot.
6. Orphic
Adj.
Mystical. Mysterious. Otherworldly
The orphic nature of the forest at night made it seem like a magical realm.
The orphic nature of the story left the reader feeling enchanted.
The orphic melodies of the flute filled the room with a hauntingly beautiful sound.
7. Arcane
Adj.
Secret, mystery, known by few, hidden, concealed
The ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs are arcane.
The arcane rituals of the secret society.
Arcane symbols are etched on the tombstones in the old graveyard.
8. Beautiful
Adj.
Definition: YOU
9. Selcouth
Adj. unusual, strange, wondrous, marvelous
The scientists were left staring at the selcouth mineral
She loves to pick selcouth flowers.
10. Mellifluous
Adj. A pleasantly smooth, rich and sweet musical sound.
Her voice is mellifluous and comforting.
I was captivated by the writer’s mellifluous prose.
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