Epochal: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The term comes from the Greek word 'epokhē', meaning 'a fixed point' in time.
• It entered the English language in the late 19th century, used to describe significant periods.
• It originally referred to a division of time used in calendars, such as the birth of Christ or a significant event.

History

• The Industrial Revolution is considered an epochal transition, transforming economies and societies worldwide.
• The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 marked an epochal event in global history, symbolizing the end of the Cold War.
• The Age of Enlightenment, which emphasized reason and individualism, is often referred to as an epochal period in Western thought.

Science

• The discovery of penicillin by Alexander Fleming in 1928 was epochal for modern medicine, revolutionizing treatments for infections.
• The advent of the Internet in the late 20th century is seen as an epochal development influencing communication, business, and culture.
• The theory of evolution presented by Charles Darwin is considered epochal in biology, fundamentally changing our understanding of species and their development.

Literature

• James Joyce's 'Ulysses' is hailed as an epochal work in modernist literature, changing narrative style and structure.
• The release of 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald in 1925 reflected the changes of the Roaring Twenties and is considered epochal in American literature.
• Virginia Woolf's experimental narratives marked an epochal shift in women's literature during the early 20th century, focusing on inner thoughts and experiences.

Philosophy

• In existentialism, the quest for meaning in an 'epochal' life reflects the human struggle to find identity and purpose.
• The concept of temporal existence in existential philosophy underscores how impactful epochs shape human experience and thought.
• Epochal changes in philosophical thought often align with significant societal transformations, influencing ethics and belief systems.

At rank #29,167, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.

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• 29164 adjudging
• 29165 unsurprising
• 29166 mementos
• 29167 epochal
• 29168 heliocentric
• 29169 eclipsing
• 29170 nanosecond
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