You searched for: “phenomena
phenomenon (s) (noun), phenomena (pl)
1. An appearance of anything visible; something that is perceived to exist or to happen: There is the phenomenon of heat, light, or electricity and the phenomenon of imagination or memory.
2. Things that exist and can be detected by the senses; especially, things which are unusual or interesting: Donald believes in the paranormal and psychic phenomena that he has experienced.
3. Any states or processes known through the sensory faculties of the body rather than by intuition or reasoning: Lightning is an electrical phenomenon which many people have experienced.
4. In medicine: symptoms or occurrences of any sort, whether ordinary or extraordinary, in relation to a disease: Fever and inflammation are phenomena of physical ailments.
5. An unusual or extraordinary person, fact, or occurrence: A genius is sometimes called a phenomenon.
6. Etymology: from Greek phainomenon and Latin phaenomenom, "something which is seen or appears."
A remarkable person or thing.
© ALL rights are reserved.

Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
so you can see more of Mickey Bach's cartoons.

phenomenon, phenomena, phenomenal
phenomenon (fi NAHM uh nahn", fi NAHM uh nuhn) (noun)
1. A rare fact, circumstance, experience, or event: It is considered a phenomenon when the home football team wins a game even with their poor record.
2. Any extremely unusual or extraordinary thing or occurrence that is known through the senses rather than known through thought or study: The neighbor was shocked with the phenomenon of a fire suddenly starting from an electrical explosion caused by her refrigeratorin her kitchen.
3. A fact of scientific interest that can be scientifically described, appraised, or explained: Gerald's chemistry instructor demonstrated the phenomenon of mixing chemicals to produce dyes for industrial purposes.
phenomena (fi NAHM uh nuh) (noun)
The plural form or "phenomenon"; occasionally used as the singular form, but such usage is considered incorrect: When Helena's essay was returned, her teacher had noted that she had correctly used the word "phenomena" when discussing the many sightings of a rare bird on the river.
phenomenal (fi NAHM uh nuhl) (adjective)
1. Extraordinary: Marla made phenomenal progress with her singing lessons because she practiced every day.
2. Very good or great; extremely unusual in a way that is very impressive: The book was a phenomenal success for several months.

Ed's phenomenal understanding of the single rare scientific phenomenon of ice crystals was amazing; however, he lost points in his essay by referring to it as a single rare scientific phenomena.

(the science of the stars, anciently equivalent to astronomy, which was known as natural astrology, and used to predict such natural events as eclipses, the date of Easter, and meteorological phenomena)
(understanding astronomical phenomena in terms of the laws of physics)
Word Entries containing the term: “phenomena
electrokinetic effects, electrokinetic phenomena
Conditions associated with relative movements between a charged surface and an electrolytic solution.

The surface is ordinarily either a solid particle suspended in the solution or the medium through which the solution flows.

electromagnetic phenomena
The term electromagnetic is used to describe the combined electric and magnetic fields which are associated with movements of electrons through conductors.

The process includes the combined electrical and magnetic effects exhibited by and used by equipment, apparatus, and instruments; and, in terms of radiation, to describe the radiation which is associated with a periodically varying electric and magnetic field that is traveling at the speed of light; such as, light waves, radio waves, X-rays, gamma radiation, etc.

This entry is located in the following unit: electro-, electr-, electri- (page 40)
Word Entries at Get Words: “phenomena
phenomena (pl), phenomenon (s)
1. Occurrences, circumstances, or facts that are perceptible by the senses.
2. Unusual, significant, or unaccountable facts or occurrences; marvels.
This entry is located in the following unit: Alchemy, an ancient science (page 2)
phenomenon (s) (noun), phenomena, phenomenons (pl)
1. A natural event or occurrence that is recognized or known through the senses, not by intuition: Snow is a phenomenon of winter.
2. A remarkable, talented, and unusual individual or event: Beethoven was considered to be a phenomenon among musicians.

The normal plural form of phenomenon is supposed to be phenomena; however, phenomenons is also usually acceptable when referring to people or things: Reckless speculators are phenomenons among today's investors.

Phenomena is the correct plural form for scientific content: The phenomena were observed by astronomers throughout the world.

Tomorrow's weather forecast calls for several atmospheric phenomena.

This entry is located in the following unit: English Words in Action, Group P (page 2)
(mathematics is the deductive study of quantities, magnitudes, and shapes as determined by the use of numbers and symbols while every branch of science and engineering depends on mathematics; measurement is the process of associating numbers with physical quantities and phenomena and measurement is fundamental to the sciences; to engineering, construction, and other technical fields; and to almost all everyday activities)
(topics about the study of the complex motions and interactions of the atmosphere, including the observation of phenomena; such as, temperature, density, winds, clouds, and precipitation)
Word Entries at Get Words containing the term: “phenomena
3. Scientific method, developoment of theory to predict new phenomena
The development of a theory that is used to predict new phenomena where the theory is a general statement that explains the facts.

A theory can lead to a new conclusion or the discovery of a phenomenon. Developments of a theory often result in a change in paradigm; that is, looking at or thinking about a scientific problem in a totally different way as indicated by a set of assumptions, concepts, values, and practices that constitute a way of viewing reality for the scientific community that shares them.

—Based on information compiled from "Why Is Measurement Important to Science?"
by Patricia Barnes-Svarney, Editorial Director; The New York Public Library Science Desk Reference;
A Stoneson Press Book, Macmillan Publishers; New York; 1995; page 2.
This entry is located in the following unit: Measurements and Mathematics Terms (page 1)