<center> fossil poetry anthology </center>
<center>[[aura]] · [[cell]] · [[citrus]] · [[community]] · [[dream]] · [[earth]] · [[electricity]] · [[fall]] · [[fire]] · [[life and death]] · [[lotus]] · [[memory]] · [[metamorphasis]] · [[sun and moon]] · [[objectivity]] · [[ocean]] · [[orgasm]] · [[relationship]] · [[set]] · [[shadow]] · [[space]] · [[spirit]] · [[spring]] · [[subjectivity]] · [[water]] · [[wind]]</center>
b : a single room
(as in a convent or prison)
usually for one person
3 : a small compartment,
cavity, or bounded space:
such as
a : one of the compartments of a
honeycomb
b : a membranous area
bounded by
veins in the
wing
of an insect
4 : a small usually
microscopic
mass of protoplasm
bounded externally
by a
semipermeable
membrane,
capable alone or
interacting with other cells of performing all
the fundamental
functions of
life,
and forming
the smallest
structural unit
of
living matter
capable of functioning independently
b : a single unit in a device for converting
radiant energy
into
electrical energy
formed by the intersection of a
column and a
row
1a : a distinctive atmosphere
surrounding a
given source
b : a subtle sensory stimulus (such as an aroma)
2 medical : a subjective (see SUBJECTIVE entry 1 sense 4b)
sensation
(as of voices,
colored lights,
or crawling and
numbness)
experienced at the onset of a
neurological condition
and especially a migraine
or epileptic seizure
3 : an energy field
that is held to
emanate
from a
living being
4 : a luminous radiation : NIMBUS
[[etomology: aura]]
1 : a unified body
of individuals:
such as
a : the people with common interests
living in a particular area
broadly : the area itself
c : a body of persons of common
and especially professional interests
scattered through a larger society
e : a group linked by a common policy
g : STATE, COMMONWEALTH
2a : a social state or condition
b : joint ownership or participation
: a series of thoughts, images, or emotions
occurring
during sleep
2 : an experience of waking life having the characteristics
of a dream: such as
a : a visionary
creation of the imagination : DAYDREAM
b : a state of mind
marked by abstraction or
release from reality : REVERIE
c : an object seen in a dreamlike state : VISION
3 : something notable for its
beauty, excellence, or enjoyable quality
4a :
a strongly desired goal or
purpose
b : something that fully satisfies a wish : IDEAL
2 : to consider as a
possibility :
IMAGINE
3 : to pass (time)
in reverie or
inaction
: to consider possible or fitting
oun
noun: earth; noun: Earth
1.
the planet on which we live; the world.
"the diversity of life on earth"
Similar:
world
globe
planet
sphere
orb
the surface of the world as distinct from the sky or the sea.
"it plummeted back to earth at 60 mph"
Similar:
land
ground
dry land
solid ground
terra firma
floor
the present abode of humankind, as distinct from heaven or hell.
"God's will be done on earth as it is in heaven"
2.
the substance of the land surface; soil.
"a layer of earth"
Similar:
soil
topsoil
loam
clay
silt
dirt
sod
clod
turf
ground
terrain
one of the four elements in ancient and medieval philosophy and in astrology (considered essential to certain signs of the zodiac).
used in names of stable, dense, nonvolatile inorganic substances, e.g. fuller's earth.
plural noun: earths
LITERARY
the substance of the human body.
3.
BRITISH
electrical connection to the earth, regarded as having zero electrical potential; ground.
4.
the underground lair or habitation of a badger or fox.
Similar:
den
lair
sett
burrow
warren
tunnel
hole
cave
retreat
shelter
hideout
hideaway
hiding place
habitation
hidey-hole
verb
verb: earth; 3rd person present: earths; past tense: earthed; past participle: earthed; gerund or present participle: earthing
1.
cover the root and lower stem of a plant with heaped-up earth.
2.
HUNTING
drive (a fox) to its underground lair.
(of a fox) run to its underground lair.
3.
BRITISH
connect (an electrical device) with the ground.1a : a fundamental form of energy
observable in
positive and negative forms
and that is
expressed
in terms of the
movement and interaction
of
electrons
3 : keen
contagious
excitement
.
move downward, typically rapidly and freely without control, from a higher to a lower level.
"bombs could be seen falling from the planes"
Similar:
drop
drop down
plummet
descend
come down
go down
plunge
sink
dive
nosedive
tumble
pitch
cascade
gravitate
Opposite:
rise
become detached accidentally and drop to the ground.
"my sunglasses fell off and broke on the pavement"
hang down.
"hair that was allowed to fall to the shoulders"
(of land) slope downward; drop away.
"the land fell away in a steep bank"
Similar:
slope down
slope
slant down
go down
incline downward
tilt downward
drop away
drop
descend
dip
sink
plunge
decline
Opposite:
rise
(of a river) flow or discharge itself into.
(of someone's eyes or glance) be directed downward.
(of someone's face) show dismay or disappointment by appearing to sag or droop.
"her face fell as she thought about her life with George"
2.
(of a person) lose one's balance and collapse.
"she fell down at school today"
Similar:
topple over
tumble over
keel over
fall down
fall over
go head over heels
go end over end
fall headlong
go headlong
collapse
fall in a heap
take a spill
pitch forward
trip
trip over
stumble
stagger
slip
slide
cowp
come a cropper
go for six
measure one's length
Opposite:
get up
throw oneself down, typically in order to worship or implore someone.
"they fell on their knees, rendering thanks to God"
(of a tree, building, or other structure) collapse to the ground.
"the house looked as if it were going to fall down at any moment"
Similar:
collapse
cave in
come down about one's ears
crash in
fall down
subside
sag
slump
sink inwards
give way
crumple
crumble
disintegrate
fall to pieces
Opposite:
hold up
3.
decrease in number, amount, intensity, or quality.
"we're worried that standards are falling"
Similar:
decrease
decline
diminish
fall off
drop off
go down
grow less
lessen
dwindle
plummet
plunge
slump
sink
depreciate
decrease in value
lose value
decline in price
cheapen
devalue
hit the floor
go through the floor
nosedive
take a nosedive
take a header
go into a tailspin
crash
go downhill
Opposite:
rise
increase
(of a measuring instrument) show a lower reading.
"the barometer had fallen a further ten points"
4.
be captured or defeated.
"their mountain strongholds fell to enemy attack"
Similar:
surrender
yield
submit
give in
give up
give way
capitulate
succumb
be overthrown by
be taken by
be defeated by
be conquered by
be overcome by
be overwhelmed by
lose one's position to
pass into the hands of
fall victim to
Opposite:
resist
die in battle.
"an English leader who had fallen at the hands of the Danes"
Similar:
die
be killed
be slain
be a casualty
be a fatality
be lost
lose one's life
perish
drop dead
meet one's end
meet one's death
bite the dust
croak
buy it
snuff it
peg out
bite the big one
decease
(of a government or leader) lose office.
ARCHAIC
commit sin; yield to temptation.
"it is their husbands' fault if wives do fall"
5.
pass into a specified state.
"many of the buildings fell into disrepair"
Similar:
become
come/get to be
grow
get
turn
doze off
drop off
go to sleep
nod off
go off
drift off
crash
crash out
flake out
conk out
go out like a light
sack out
zone out
Opposite:
stay awake
wake up
occur or take place.
"when night fell we managed to crawl back to our lines"
Similar:
occur
take place
happen
come about
come to pass
come
arrive
appear
arise
materialize
begin to do something.
"he fell to musing about how it had happened"
be drawn accidentally into.
"you must not fall into this common error"
be classified or ordered in the way specified.
"canals fall within the Minister's brief"
noun
noun: fall; plural noun: falls; noun: Fall
1.
an act of falling or collapsing; a sudden uncontrollable descent.
"his mother had a fall, hurting her leg as she alighted from a train"
Similar:
tumble
trip
spill
topple
stumble
slip
collapse
nosedive
header
cropper
a controlled act of falling, especially as a stunt or in martial arts.
WRESTLING
a move which pins the opponent's shoulders on the ground for a count of three.
a state of hanging or drooping downward.
"the fall of her hair"
a downward difference in height between parts of a surface.
"at the corner of the massif this fall is interrupted by other heights of considerable stature"
Similar:
descent
declivity
slope
downward slope
downward slant
incline
downgrade
Opposite:
ascent
a sudden onset or arrival as if by dropping.
"the fall of darkness"
2.
a thing which falls or has fallen.
"in October came the first thin fall of snow"
a waterfall or cascade.
Similar:
waterfall
cascade
cataract
chute
torrent
rapids
white water
force
linn
LITERARY
a downward turn in a melody.
"that strain again, it had a dying fall"
the parts or petals of a flower that bend downward, especially the outer perianth segments of an iris.
3.
a decrease in size, number, rate, or level; a decline.
"a big fall in unemployment"
Similar:
decline
falloff
drop
dropping off
decrease
cut
lessening
lowering
dip
diminishing
dwindling
reduction
plummet
plunge
slump
deterioration
downswing
nosedive
crash
letup
Opposite:
increase
4.
a defeat or downfall.
"the fall of the government"
Similar:
downfall
ruin
ruination
collapse
failure
decline
deterioration
degeneration
destruction
overthrow
demise
surrender
surrendering
capitulation
yielding
giving in
submission
acquiescence
succumbing
resignation
laying down of arms
defeat
Opposite:
rise
a person's moral descent, typically through succumbing to temptation.
the lapse of humankind into a state of sin, ascribed in traditional Jewish and Christian theology to the disobedience of Adam and Eve as described in Genesis.
noun: Fall of Man; noun: the Fall
Similar:
sin
sinning
wrongdoing
transgression
error
yielding to temptation
offense
lapse
fall from grace
backsliding
original sin
5.
NORTH AMERICAN
autumn.
1a(1) : the phenomenon of combustion manifested in light, flame, and heat
(2) : one of the four elements of the alchemists
air, water, fire, and earth
b(1) : burning passion : ARDOR
young lovers with their hearts full of fire
(2) : liveliness of imagination : INSPIRATION
the force and fire of his oratory
2a : fuel in a state of combustion (as on a hearth)
warmed his hands at the crackling fire
b British : a small gas or electric space heater
3a : a destructive burning (as of a building)
The shack was destroyed by a fire.
b(1) : death or torture by fire
He confessed under threat of the fire.
(2) : severe trial or ordeal
He had proved himself in the fire of battle.
4 : BRILLIANCY, LUMINOSITY
the fire of a gem
5a : the firing of weapons (such as firearms, artillery, or missiles)
The troops were ordered to cease fire. [=stop shooting]
They opened fire on [=began shooting at] the enemy.
also : the bullets, shells, etc., that are discharged
The soldiers endured heavy fire.
— see also FRIENDLY FIRE
— compare COUNTERFIRE
b : intense verbal attack or criticism
His remarks have provoked heavy fire from his political opponents.
c : a rapidly delivered series (as of remarks)
oun
noun: fire
1.
combustion or burning, in which substances combine chemically with oxygen from the air and typically give out bright light, heat, and smoke.
"his house was destroyed by fire"
a destructive burning of something.
plural noun: fires
"a fire at a hotel"
Similar:
blaze
conflagration
inferno
holocaust
firestorm
flames
burning
combustion
a collection of fuel, especially wood or coal, burned in a controlled way to provide heat or a means for cooking.
"our small kettle was kept constantly on the fire"
one of the four elements in ancient and medieval philosophy and in astrology.
2.
a burning sensation in the body.
"the whiskey lit a fire in the back of his throat"
fervent or passionate emotion or enthusiasm.
"the fire of their religious conviction"
Similar:
dynamism
energy
vigor
animation
vitality
vibrancy
exuberance
ebullience
zest
elan
passion
ardor
impetuosity
intensity
zeal
spirit
life
liveliness
verve
vivacity
vivaciousness
sparkle
scintillation
dash
enthusiasm
eagerness
gusto
fervor
fervency
force
potency
vehemence
inspiration
imagination
creativity
inventiveness
flair
pep
vim
zing
go
get-up-and-go
oomph
pizzazz
LITERARY
luminosity; glow.
"their soft smiles light the air like a star's fire"
3.
the shooting of projectiles from weapons, especially bullets from guns.
"a burst of machine-gun fire"
Similar:
gunfire
firing
sniping
flak
bombardment
fusillade
volley
barrage
salvo
cannonade
strong criticism or antagonism.
"he directed his fire against policies promoting American capital flight"
Similar:
criticism
censure
condemnation
castigation
denunciation
opprobrium
admonishments
vituperation
scolding
chiding
disapproval
hostility
antagonism
animosity
ill will
enmity
flak
brickbats
knocks
raps
verb
verb: fire; 3rd person present: fires; past tense: fired; past participle: fired; gerund or present participle: firing
1.
discharge a gun or other weapon in order to explosively propel (a bullet or projectile).
"he fired a shot at the retreating prisoners"
Similar:
launch
shoot
discharge
eject
hurl
throw
send flying
let fly with
loose off
shy
send
pop
let off
trigger
set off
blast
discharge (a gun or other weapon).
"troops fired on crowds"
(of a gun) be discharged.
PHYSIOLOGY
(of a nerve or muscle cell) generate an impulse or contraction.
"the signal is generated by neurons firing in response to the visual stimulus"
direct (questions or statements, especially unwelcome ones) toward someone in rapid succession.
"they fired questions at me for what seemed like ages"
send a message aggressively, especially as one of a series.
"he fired off a letter informing her that he regarded the matter with the utmost seriousness"
2.
INFORMAL
dismiss (an employee) from a job.
"having to fire men who've been with me for years"
Similar:
dismiss
discharge
give someone their notice
make redundant
lay off
let go
throw out
get rid of
oust
depose
cashier
sack
give the sack to
axe
kick out
boot out
give someone the boot
give someone the bullet
give someone the elbow
give someone the push
show someone the door
give someone their cards
3.
supply (a furnace, engine, boiler, or power station) with fuel.
(of an internal combustion engine, or a cylinder in one) undergo ignition of its fuel when started.
"the engine fired and she pushed her foot down on the accelerator"
Similar:
ignite
start
catch
get started
get going
start (an engine or other device).
"with a flick of his wrist he fired up the chainsaw"
ARCHAIC
set fire to.
"I fired the straw"
4.
stimulate or excite (the imagination or an emotion).
"India fired my imagination"
Similar:
stimulate
stir up
excite
enliven
awaken
arouse
rouse
draw/call forth
bring out
engender
evoke
inflame
put/breathe life into
animate
inspire
motivate
quicken
incite
drive
impel
spur on
galvanize
electrify
trigger
impassion
Opposite:
deaden
fill (someone) with enthusiasm.
"in the locker room they were really fired up"
ARCHAIC
show sudden anger.
"If I were to hear anyone disparage you, I would fire up in a flash"
Similar:
stir up
arouse
rouse
excite
galvanize
electrify
stimulate
inspire
move
fire the enthusiasm of
fire the imagination of
get going
whip up
inflame
agitate
goad
provoke
spur on
urge
encourage
animate
incite
egg on
light a fire under
inspirit
5.
bake or dry (pottery, bricks, etc.) in a kiln.
: any of a group of often
thorny trees
and shrubs (Citrus and related genera)
of the rue family
grown in warm regions
for their
edible fruit
(such as the orange or
lemon)
with
firm
usually thick rind
and
pulpy
flesh
: the quality that distinguishes
a vital and
functional being from a dead body
b : a principle or
force
that is considered to underlie
the distinctive quality of
animate beings
c : an organismic state
characterized by capacity for
metabolism
growth,
the sequence of physical and
mental experiences that make up the
existence of an individual
5a : the period from birth to death
9 : an animating and shaping force or principle
11 : the form or pattern of something existing in reality
c : the activities of a given sphere, area, or time
: a fruit eaten by
the lotus-eaters
and
considered to cause
indolence
and
dreamy contentment
also : a tree \
(such as Zizyphus lotus of the buckthorn family)
reputed to bear this fruit
2 : any of various water lilies
including
several represented in ancient Egyptian and
Hindu art and
religious symbolism
a : any of a genus (Lotus) of widely distributed upright herbs or subshrubs of the legume family
b : SWEET CLOVER
the faculty by which the mind
stores and remembers
information
something remembered from the past; a recollection.
the length of time over which people continue to remember a person or event.
capacity for storing information
Remember defintion:
have in or
be able to
bring to one's mind an
awareness of (someone or
something that one has
seen, known, or
experienced in
the past).
used to emphasize the importance of what is asserted.
"you must remember that this is
a secret"
keep alive the memory of
spare a thought for
recover one's manners after a lapse.
a: change of physical form,
structure, or substance
especially by
supernatural means
2 : a typically marked and
more or less
abrupt developmental change in the
form or structure of an animal
occurring subsequent
to
birth
or
hatching
sun
the luminous celestial body around which the
earth and other planets revolve,
from which they receive heat and light,
which is composed mainly of hydrogen and helium,
and which has a mean distance from earth of about
93,000,000 miles
a linear diameter of 864,000 miles
and a mass 332,000 times greater than earth
under the sun
: in the world : on earth
moon
the earth's natural satellite
that shines by the sun's reflected light,
revolves about the earth from west to east
in about 29¹/₂ days
with reference to the sun or about 27¹/₃ days
has a diameter of 2160 miles (3475 kilometers),
a mean distance from the earth of about
238,900 miles (384,400 kilometers),
and a mass about one eightieth that of the earth
c : SATELLITE sense 2
specifically : a natural satellite of a planet
over the moon
: very pleased : in high spirits
the quality or character of being objective : lack of favoritism toward one side or another : freedom from bias
objective, defintion:
a thing aimed at or sought; a goal.
1a :
the whole
body
of
salt water
that covers
nearly three fourths of
the surface
of the earth
b : any of the
large bodies
of water
(such as the Atlantic Ocean)
into which
the
great ocean
is divided
2 : a very large or unlimited space or quantity: intense or
paroxysmal
excitement
especially :
the rapid pleasurable release of
neuromuscular tensions
at the height of
sexual
arousal
that is usually accompanied by the
ejaculation of semen
in the male
and by
vaginal contractions
in the female
: the state of being related or interrelated
2 : the relation connecting or
binding participants in a relationship:
such as
a : KINSHIP
b : a specific instance or type of kinship
3a : a state of affairs existing
between those having
relations
or dealings
b : a romantic or passionate attachment
4a : to place with care
or deliberate purpose
and with
relative stability
c(1) : to make
(a trap) ready to catch prey
(2) : to fix (a hook)
firmly into the jaw of a fish
d : to put aside
for
fermenting
5 : to direct with
fixed attention
b : to cause the start of
set a fire
also : to adjust (something,
such as a clock)
in conformity
with a standard
b : to restore to normal position
or connection
when dislocated or fractured
b : to fix
(something, such as a precious stone)
in a border of metal : place in a setting
2 : to be becoming : be suitable : FIT
6a : to pass below the horizon : go down
the sun sets
b : to come to an end
8 : to have a specified direction in motion : FLOW, TEND
set about : to begin to do
set aside/ to put to one side : DISCARD/ to reserve for a purpose : SAVE
2 : INTENTIONAL, PREMEDITATED
did it of set purpose
[[etomology:set]]
partial darkness or
obscurity
within a part of space
from which rays
from a source of light are
cut off
by an interposed
opaque body
a small degree
or portion : TRACE
an inseparable companion
or follower
pervasive and
dominant influence
a reflected
image
shelter from
danger or
observation
an imperfect and
faint
representation
an imitation of something :
COPY
PHANTOM
a state of ignominy or obscurity
to cast a shadow upon : CLOUD
to follow especially secretly : TRAIL
4 archaic : SHELTER, PROTECT
5 archaic : SHADE sense 5
6 obsolete : to shelter from the sun
7 obsolete : CONCEAL
</center>
[[etomology: shadow]]
a period of time
a limited extent in one, two, or three dimensions : DISTANCE, AREA, VOLUME
b : an extent set apart or available
c : the distance from other people or things that a person needs in order to remain comfortable
3 : one of the degrees between or above or below the lines of a musical staff
— compare LINE
4a : a boundless three-dimensional extent in which objects and events occur and have relative position and direction
b : physical space independent of what occupies it
5 : the region beyond the earth's atmosphere or beyond the solar system'
6a : a blank area separating words or lines
b : material used to produce such blank area
7 : a set of mathematical elements and
especially
of
abstractions
of all the points on a line,
in a plane,
or in physical space
especially :
a set of mathematical entities
with a set of axioms of
geometric character
— compare METRIC SPACE, TOPOLOGICAL SPACE, VECTOR SPACE
10a : the opportunity to assert or experience one's identity or needs freely
b : an opportunity for privacy or time to oneself
transitive verb
: to place at intervals or arrange with space between
2 informal : to fail to remember something : FORGET
the nonphysical
part of a person
which is the seat
of emotions and character;
the soul.
manifested as an apparition after their death;
a ghost.
those qualities regarded as forming
the definitive or typical elements in the character of a person,
nation, or
group or
in the thought and attitudes of a
particular period.
"the university is a symbol of the nation's egalitarian spirit"
Similar:
ethos
the real meaning or the intention behind something as opposed to its strict verbal interpretation.
ARCHAIC
a solution of volatile components
extracted from something,
typically by
distillation
or by solution in alcohol.
ARCHAIC
a highly refined substance or
fluid thought
to govern
vital phenomena.1a(1) : DART, SHOOT
(2) : to be resilient or elastic
b : to become warped
2 : to issue with speed and force or as a stream
3a : to grow as a plant
c : to come into being : ARISE
d archaic : DAWN
b : to leap or jump up suddenly
2a : to undergo or bring about the splitting or cracking of
wind
3a : to cause to operate suddenly
a source of water issuing from the ground
4 : an elastic body
that recovers its
original shape
when released after
being
distorted
5a : the act or an instance of leaping up or forward :
BOUND
b(1) : capacity for springing :
RESILIENCE
(2) : ENERGY, BOUNCE
1a :
the liquid that descends from the clouds
as rain,
forms
streams, lakes, and seas,
and is a major constituent of all
living matter
and that when pure is an
odorless, tasteless, very slightly compressible liquid
oxide of hydrogen H2O
which appears
bluish in thick layers,
freezes at 0° C and boils at 100° C,
has a maximum density at 4° C
and a high specific heat,
is feebly ionized to hydrogen and hydroxyl ions,
and is a poor conductor of
electricity and
a good solvent
6a : the degree of clarity
and luster
of a precious stone
4 : to treat with or as if with water
1 : to form or secrete water or watery matter
(such as
tears or saliva)
1a :
a natural movement
of air
of any velocity
especially :
the earth's air
or
the gas surrounding a planet
in natural motion
horizontally
2a : a force
or agency
that carries along or
influences :
TENDENCY, TREND
8a : a direction from which the wind may blow :
a point of the compass
especially : one of the cardinal points
b : the direction from which the wind is blowing
b
in the wind
: about to happen : ASTIR, AFOOT
1 : to make short of breath
2 : to detect or follow by scent
3 : to expose to the air or wind : dry by exposing to air
4 : to regulate the wind supply of (an organ pipe)
5 : to rest
(an animal, such as a horse)
in order to allow
the breath to be recovered
3 : an act of winding : the state of being wound
: the quality, state, or nature of being subjective
subjective defintiton:
2 : of or relating to the
essential being
of that which has
substance,
qualities,
attributes, or
relations
3a : characteristic of or
belonging to reality
as perceived
rather than as
independent of mind :
PHENOMENAL
b : arising from conditions
within the brain or sense
organs and not directly caused by
external
stimuli
c : arising out of or
identified by means of
one's perception of
one's own states and processes
Old English sceadwe,
sceaduwe "the effect of interception of sunlight, dark image cast by someone or something when interposed between an object and a source of light,"
oblique cases ("to the," "from the," "of the," "in the") of sceadu (see shade (n.)).
Shadow is to shade (n.) as meadow is to mead (n.2).
Similar formation in Old Saxon skado, Middle Dutch schaeduwe, Dutch schaduw, Old High German scato, German schatten, Gothic skadus "shadow, shade."
From mid-13c. as "darkened area created by shadows, shade."
From early 13c. in sense "anything unreal;"
mid-14c. as "a ghost;"
late 14c. as "a foreshadowing, prefiguration."
Meaning "imitation, copy" is from 1690s.
Sense of "the faintest trace" is from 1580s;
that of "a spy who follows" is from 1859.
shadow (v.)
Middle English schadowen, Kentish ssedwi, from late Old English sceadwian
"to protect as with covering wings" (also see overshadow),
from the root of shadow (n.). Similar formation in Old Saxon skadoian, Dutch schaduwen, Old High German scatewen, German (über)schatten.
From mid-14c. as "provide shade;"
late 14c. as "cast a shadow over" (literal and figurative),
from early 15c. as "darken" (in illustration, etc.).
Meaning "to follow like a shadow" is from c. 1600 in an isolated instance; not attested again until 1872.
Related: Shadowed; shadowing.1870 in spiritualism,
"subtle emanation around living beings;"
earlier "characteristic impression"
made by a personality (1859),
earlier still
"an aroma or subtle emanation" (1732).
Also used in some mystical sense in Swedenborgian writings (by 1847).
All from Latin aura
"breeze, wind, the upper air,"
from Greek aura
"breath, cool breeze, air in motion,"
from PIE *aur-, from root *wer- (1) "to raise, lift, hold suspended." The word was used in the classical literal sense in Middle English, "gentle breeze" (late 14c.). The modern uses all are figurative. In Latin and Greek, the metaphoric uses were in reference to changeful events, popular favorDouble-click this passage to edit it.