Evanescence: meaning, definitions and examples

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evanescence

 

[ˌɛvəˈnɛsəns ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

music

Evanescence is an American rock band known for their gothic rock and alternative metal sound.

Examples of usage

  • The evanescence of their music creates an ethereal atmosphere.
  • Evanescence's latest album topped the charts.
Context #2 | Noun

literature

Evanescence refers to the quality of being fleeting or vanishing quickly.

Synonyms

ephemerality, transience.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
evanescence

Evanescence again, as noted earlier, is about fading away. This repetition may likely be due to an error. Its implications remain in the poetic and literary realms.

  • The evanescence of the melody made it feel like a dream once it ended.
transience

Transience is used to describe something that is not permanent, often relating to time and change. It can be applied in philosophical or everyday discussions to underline the temporal aspect of life or experiences.

  • The transience of youth is a theme explored in many novels.
  • He meditated on the transience of life's moments.
ephemerality

Ephemerality focuses on the short duration of something, emphasizing its temporary nature. This term is often used in discussions about art, life, or experiences that are intense but short-lived.

  • The ephemerality of cherry blossoms makes their annual bloom a highly anticipated event.
  • He appreciated the ephemerality of summer storms.

Examples of usage

  • The evanescence of her smile left a lasting impression.
  • The evanescence of time is a common theme in poetry.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word originates from the Latin 'evanescere', which means 'to disappear'.
  • It has been used in English since the early 19th century, showcasing a blend of poetic influence and scientific thought.
  • Related words include 'vanish', which emphasizes the suddenness of disappearing.

Literature

  • Evanescence is a common theme in poetry, symbolizing the transient nature of beauty and life.
  • Poets like John Keats explored the idea of evanescence, often reflecting on how quickly life can change.
  • The concept is often linked to the notion of cherishing moments because they are brief.

Psychology

  • Research on memory suggests that experiences can feel evanescent, as emotional memories fade over time.
  • The concept of 'hedonic adaptation' explains why our happiness from positive experiences can be fleeting.
  • It highlights how humans often quickly adapt to changes, leading to a sense of evanescence in joy.

Pop Culture

  • The American rock band Evanescence, known for their haunting melodies, captures the essence of transience in many of their lyrics.
  • Songs often address themes of loss and longing, emphasizing how certain emotions feel temporary yet deeply impactful.
  • The visual and lyrical aesthetic of their work resonates with the idea of fleeting beauty and the struggle against loss.

Science

  • In physics, evanescent waves describe light that gradually disappears in the medium it's traveling through—think of waves fading out.
  • The phenomenon of 'evanescent coupling' in optics relates to how light can bridge two elements without traveling through the space in between.
  • This concept is crucial in understanding how certain scientific processes can seem momentary while having lasting effects.

Translations

Translations of the word "evanescence" in other languages:

🇵🇹 desaparecimento

🇮🇳 क्षणभंगुरता

🇩🇪 Vergänglichkeit

🇮🇩 kefanaan

🇺🇦 ефемерність

🇵🇱 ulotność

🇯🇵 儚さ (hakanasa)

🇫🇷 évanescence

🇪🇸 evanescencia

🇹🇷 geçicilik

🇰🇷 덧없음 (deoteop-eum)

🇸🇦 زوال (zawal)

🇨🇿 pomíjivost

🇸🇰 pominuteľnosť

🇨🇳 短暂 (duǎnzàn)

🇸🇮 minljivost

🇮🇸 hverfuleiki

🇰🇿 уақытша

🇬🇪 ხანმოკლეობა

🇦🇿 keçicilik

🇲🇽 evanescencia

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #35,691, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.