enigma [uh-nig-muh] noun, plural -mas, -mata [-muh-tuh] 1.

a puzzling or inexplicable occurrence or situation: His disappearance is an enigma that has given rise to much speculation. 2. a person of puzzling or contradictory character: To me he has always been an enigma, one minute completely insensitive, the next moved to tears. 3. a saying, question, picture, etc., containing a hidden meaning; riddle. 4. ( initial capital letter ) a German-built enciphering machine developed for commercial use in the early 1920s and later adapted and appropriated by German and other Axis powers for military use through World War II. Origin: 153040; < Latin aenigma < Greek anigma, equivalent to ainik- (stem of ainssesthai to speak in riddles, derivative of anos fable) + -ma noun suffix of result Synonyms 1. problem. See puzzle.

between a memory and a hope

in the second an excess of aesthetic perfection

a shop window in Paris is called forth, summoned to appear on Judgment Day

It is, of course, not a question of subject matter

There is one example that shows with absolute clarity how this has been true ever since the history of photography began

He opposed both of them with his own conception of the human face

hell [hel] noun 1. the place or state of punishment of the wicked after death; the abode of evil and condemned spirits; Gehenna or Tartarus. 2. any place or state of torment or misery: They made their fathers life a hell on earth. 3. something that causes torment or misery: Having that cut stitched without anesthesia was hell. 4. the powers of evil. 5. the abode of the dead; Sheol or Hades. 6. extreme disorder or confusion; chaos: The children let both dogs into the house, and all hell broke loose. 7. heck1 ( def. 2 ) . 8. a receptacle into which a tailor throws scraps. 9. Also called hellbox. Printing . a box into which a printer throws discarded type. 10. the utterance of hell in swearing or for emphasis. 11. the hell, Informal . a. (used as an intensifier to express surprise, anger, impatience, etc.): Why the hell cant the trains run on time? b. (used sarcastically or ironically to express the opposite of what is being stated): Are you listening to me? The hell you are! interjection 12. (used to express surprise, irritation, disgust, etc.)

the photographic exigency that interpellates us has nothing aesthetic about it

A good photographer knows how to grasp the eschatological nature of the gesture without, however, taking anything away from the historicity or singularity of the photographed event

eschatology [es-kuh-tol-uh-jee] noun Theology . 1. any system of doctrines concerning last, or final, matters, as death, the Judgment, the future state, etc. 2. the branch of theology dealing with such matters. Origin: 183545; < Greek schato ( s ) last + -logy

I believe the hell in question here is a pagan, not Christian one

aesthetic [es-thet-ik or, especially Brit., ees-] adjective 1. pertaining to a sense of the beautiful or to the science of aesthetics. 2. having a sense of the beautiful; characterized by a love of beauty. 3. pertaining to, involving, or concerned with pure emotion and sensation as opposed to pure intellectuality. noun 4. a philosophical theory or idea of what is aesthetically valid at a given time and place: the clean lines, bare surfaces, and sense of space that bespeak the machine-age aesthetic. 5. aesthetics. 6. Archaic . the study of the nature of sensation. Also, esthetic. Origin: 181525; < Neo-Latin aestheticus < Greek aisthtiks, equivalent to aistht ( s ) ( see aesthete) + -ikos -ic

A pretentious dedication, certainly, but it perfectly expresses the exigency that animates every photograph

In the first he saw an excess of geometrical construction

What quality fascinates and entrances me in the photographs I love?

quality [kwol-i-tee] noun, plural -ties, adjective noun 1. an essential or distinctive characteristic, property, or attribute: the chemical qualities of alcohol. 2. character or nature, as belonging to or distinguishing a thing: the quality of a sound. 3. character with respect to fineness, or grade of excellence: food of poor quality; silks of fine quality. 4. high grade; superiority; excellence: wood grain of quality. 5. a personality or character trait: kindness is one of her many good qualities. 6. native excellence or superiority. 7. an accomplishment or attainment. 8. good or high social position: a man of quality. 9. the superiority or distinction associated with high social position. 10. Acoustics . the texture of a tone, dependent on its overtone content, that distinguishes it from others of the same pitch and loudness. 11. Phonetics . the tonal color, or timbre, that characterizes a particular vowel sound. 12. Logic . the character of a proposition as affirmative or negative. 13. Thermodynamics . the proportion or percentage of vapor in a mixture of liquid and vapor, as wet steam. 14. social status or position. 15. a person of high social position: Hes quality, that one is.

photography in some way captures the Last Judgment

capture [kap-cher] verb, -tured, -turing, noun verb (used with object) 1. to take by force or stratagem; take prisoner; seize: The police captured the burglar. 2. to gain control of or exert influence over: an ad that captured our attention; a TV show that captured 30% of the prime-time audience. 3. to take possession of, as in a game or contest: to capture a pawn in chess. 4. to represent or record in lasting form: The movie succeeded in capturing the atmosphere of Berlin in the 1930s. 5. Computers . a. to enter (data) into a computer for processing or storage. b. to record (data) in preparation for such entry. noun 6. the act of capturing. 7. the thing or person captured. 8. Physics . the process in which an atomic or nuclear system acquires an additional particle. 9. Crystallography . substitution in a crystal lattice of a trace element for an element of lower valence.

it represents the world as it appears on the last day

represent [rep-ri-zent] verb (used with object) 1. to serve to express, designate, stand for, or denote, as a word, symbol, or the like does; symbolize: In this painting the cat represents evil and the bird, good. 2. to express or designate by some term, character, symbol, or the like: to represent musical sounds by notes. 3. to stand or act in the place of, as a substitute, proxy, or agent does: He represents the company in Boston. 4. to speak and act for by delegated authority: to represent one's government in a foreign country. 5. to act for or in behalf of (a constituency, state, etc.) by deputed right in exercising a voice in legislation or government: He represents Chicago's third Congressional district. 6. to portray or depict; present the likeness of, as a picture does: The painting represents him as a man 22 years old. 7. to present or picture to the mind. 8. to present in words; set forth; describe; state. 9. to set forth or describe as having a particular character (usually followed by as, to be, etc.): The article represented the dictator as a benevolent despot. 10. to set forth clearly or earnestly with a view to influencing opinion or action or making protest. 11. to present, produce, or perform, as on a stage. 12. to impersonate, as in acting. 13. to serve as an example or specimen of; exemplify: a genus represented by two species. 14. to be the equivalent of; correspond to: The llama of the New World represents the camel of the Old World.

gesture [jes-cher] noun, verb, -tured, -turing. noun 1. a movement or position of the hand, arm, body, head, or face that is expressive of an idea, opinion, emotion, etc.: the gestures of an orator; a threatening gesture. 2. the use of such movements to express thought, emotion, etc. 3. any action, courtesy, communication, etc., intended for effect or as a formality; considered expression; demonstration: a gesture of friendship. verb (used without object) 4. to make or use a gesture or gestures. Gesture is one of our favorite verbs. verb (used with object) 5. to express by a gesture or gestures. Origin: 13751425; late Middle English < Medieval Latin gestra mode of action, manner, bearing, equivalent to Latin gest ( us ) past participle of gerere to bear, carry on, perform + ra -ure

the Day of Wrath

wrath [rath, rahth or, especially Brit., rawth] noun 1. strong, stern, or fierce anger; deeply resentful indignation; ire. 2. vengeance or punishment as the consequence of anger. adjective 3. Archaic . wroth. Origin: before 900; (noun) Middle English wraththe, Old English wraeththo, equivalent to wrth wroth + -tho -th1 ; (adj.) variant of wroth by association with the noun Synonyms 1. rage, resentment, fury, choler.

I dont mean that the photographs I love are ones that represent something grave, serious, or even tragic

photograph [foh-tuh-graf, -grahf] noun 1. a picture produced by photography. verb (used with object) 2. to take a photograph of. verb (used without object) 3. to practice photography. 4. to be photographed or be suitable for being photographed in some specified way: The children photograph well. Origin: 1839; photo- + -graph

The photo can show any face, any object, or any event whatever

object [n. ob-jikt, -jekt; v. uhb-jekt] noun 1. anything that is visible or tangible and is relatively stable in form. 2. a thing, person, or matter to which thought or action is directed: an object of medical investigation. 3. the end toward which effort or action is directed; goal; purpose: Profit is the object of business. 4. a person or thing with reference to the impression made on the mind or the feeling or emotion elicited in an observer: an object of curiosity and pity. 5. anything that may be apprehended intellectually: objects of thought. 6. Optics . the thing of which a lens or mirror forms an image. 7. Grammar . (in many languages, as English) a noun, noun phrase, or noun substitute representing by its syntactical position either the goal of the action of a verb or the goal of a preposition in a prepositional phrase, as ball in John hit the ball, Venice in He came to Venice, coin and her in He gave her a coin. Compare direct object, indirect object. 8. Computers . any item that can be individually selected or manipulated, as a picture, data file, or piece of text. 9. Metaphysics . something toward which a cognitive act is directed. verb (used without object) 10. to offer a reason or argument in opposition. 11. to express or feel disapproval, dislike, or distaste; be averse. 12. to refuse or attempt to refuse to permit some action, speech, etc.

This is the case with photographers like Mario Dondero and Robert Capa

active journalists who practice what could be called photographic flanerie

flnerie [flahnuh-ree] noun French . idleness; dawdling.

idle [ahyd-l] adjective, idler, idlest, verb idled, idling, noun adjective 1. not working or active; unemployed; doing nothing: idle workers. 2. not spent or filled with activity: idle hours. 3. not in use or operation; not kept busy: idle machinery. 4. habitually doing nothing or avoiding work; lazy. 5. of no real worth, importance, or significance: idle talk. verb (used without object) 10. to pass time doing nothing. 11. to move, loiter, or saunter aimlessly: to idle along the avenue. 12. (of a machine, engine, or mechanism) to operate at a low speed, disengaged from the load. verb (used with object) 13. to pass (time) doing nothing (often followed by away ): to idle away the afternoon. 14. to cause (a person) to be idle: The strike idled many workers. 15. to cause (a machine, engine, or mechanism) to idle: I waited in the car while idling the engine. noun 16. the state or quality of being idle.

walking without any goal and photographing everything that happens

the faces of two women riding bicycles in Scotland

There is one example that shows with absolute clarity how this has been true ever since the history of photography began

example [ig-zam-puhl, -zahm-] noun, verb, -pled, -pling. noun 1. one of a number of things, or a part of something, taken to show the character of the whole: This painting is an example of his early work. 2. a pattern or model, as of something to be imitated or avoided: to set a good example. 3. an instance serving for illustration; specimen: The case histories gave carefully detailed examples of this disease. 4. an instance illustrating a rule or method, as a mathematical problem proposed for solution. 5. an instance, especially of punishment, serving as a warning to others: Public executions were meant to be examples to the populace. 6. a precedent; parallel case: an action without example. verb (used with object) 7. Rare . to give or be an example of; exemplify (used in the passive). Origin: 13501400; Middle English exa ( u ) mple < Middle French example < Latin exemplum, akin to eximere to take out ( ex- ex-1 + emere to buy, orig. take); replacing Middle English exemple < Latin, as above

absolute [ab-suh-loot, ab-suh-loot] adjective 1. free from imperfection; complete; perfect: absolute liberty. 2. not mixed or adulterated; pure: absolute alcohol. 3. complete; outright: an absolute lie; an absolute denial. 4. free from restriction or limitation; not limited in any way: absolute command; absolute freedom. 5. unrestrained or unlimited by a constitution, counterbalancing group, etc., in the exercise of governmental power, especially when arbitrary or despotic: an absolute monarch. 6. viewed independently; not comparative or relative; ultimate; intrinsic: absolute knowledge. 7. positive; certain: absolute in opinion; absolute evidence. 8. Grammar . a. relatively independent syntactically. The construction It being Sunday in It being Sunday, the family went to church is an absolute construction. b. (of a usually transitive verb) used without an object, as the verb give in The charity asked him to give. c. (of an adjective) having its noun understood, not expressed, as poor in The poor are always with us. d. characterizing the phonological form of a word or phrase occurring by itself, not influenced by surrounding forms, as not in is not (as opposed to isn't ), or will in they will (as opposed to they'll ). Compare sandhi.

true [troo] adjective, truer, truest, noun, adverb, verb, trued, truing or trueing. adjective 1. being in accordance with the actual state or conditions; conforming to reality or fact; not false: a true story. 2. real; genuine; authentic: true gold; true feelings. 3. sincere; not deceitful: a true interest in someone's welfare. 4. firm in allegiance; loyal; faithful; steadfast: a true friend. 5. being or reflecting the essential or genuine character of something: the true meaning of his statement. 6. conforming to or consistent with a standard, pattern, or the like: a true copy. 7. exact; precise; accurate; correct: a true balance. 8. of the right kind; such as it should be; proper: to arrange things in their true order. 9. properly so called; rightly answering to a description: true statesmanship. 10. legitimate or rightful: the true heir. 11. reliable, unfailing, or sure: a true sign. 12. exactly or accurately shaped, formed, fitted, or placed, as a surface, instrument, or part of a mechanism. 13. honest; honorable; upright. 14. Biology . conforming to the type, norm, or standard of structure of a particular group; typical: The lion is a true cat. 15. Animal Husbandry . purebred. 16. Navigation . (of a bearing, course, etc.) determined in relation to true north. 17. Archaic . truthful.

it is considered the first photograph in which a human figure appears

human [hyoo-muhn or, often, yoo-] adjective 1. of, pertaining to, characteristic of, or having the nature of people: human frailty. 2. consisting of people: the human race. 3. of or pertaining to the social aspect of people: human affairs. 4. sympathetic; humane: a warmly human understanding. noun 5. a human being. Origin: 13501400; earlier humain(e) , humayn(e), Middle English < Middle French humain < Latin hmnus, akin to hom human being ( compare Homo); spelling human predominant from early 18th cent.

figure [fig-yer; especially Brit. fig-er] noun, verb, figured, figuring. noun 1. a numerical symbol, especially an Arabic numeral. 2. an amount or value expressed in numbers. 3. figures, the use of numbers in calculating; arithmetic: to be poor at figures. 4. a written symbol other than a letter. 5. form or shape, as determined by outlines or exterior surfaces: to be round, square, or cubical in figure. 6. the bodily form or frame: a slender or graceful figure. 7. an individual bodily form or a person with reference to form or appearance: A tall figure stood in the doorway. 8. a character or personage, especially one of distinction: a well-known figure in society. 9. a person's public image or presence: a controversial political figure. 10. the appearance or impression made by a person or sometimes a thing: to make quite a figure in financial circles; to present a wretched figure of poverty. 11. a representation, pictorial or sculptured, especially of the human form: The frieze was bordered with the figures of men and animals. 12. an emblem, type, or symbol: The dove is a figure of peace. 13. Rhetoric . a figure of speech. 14. a textural pattern, as in cloth or wood: draperies with an embossed silk figure. 15. a distinct movement or division of a dance.

photographed by Daguerre from the window of his studio at a busy moment in the middle of the day

moment [moh-muhnt] noun 1. an indefinitely short period of time; instant: I'll be with you in a moment. 2. the present time or any other particular time (usually preceded by the ): He is busy at the moment. 3. a definite period or stage, as in a course of events; juncture: at this moment in history. 4. importance or consequence: a decision of great moment. 5. a particular time or period of success, excellence, fame, etc.: His big moment came in the final game. 6. Statistics . the mean or expected value of the product formed by multiplying together a set of one or more variates or variables each to a specified power. 7. Philosophy . a. an aspect of a thing. b. Obsolete . an essential or constituent factor. 8. Mechanics . a. a tendency to produce motion, especially about an axis. b. the product of a physical quantity and its directed distance from an axis: moment of area; moment of mass. Origin: 130050; Middle English < Latin mmentum motion, cause of motion, hence, influence, importance, essential factor, moment of time, equivalent to m- (variant stem of movre to move) + -mentum -ment

absolutely nothing of this moving mass is visible

visible [viz-uh-buhl] adjective 1. that can be seen; perceptible to the eye: mountains visible in the distance. 2. apparent; manifest; obvious: a man with no visible means of support. 3. being constantly or frequently in the public view; conspicuous: a visible political position. 4. noting or pertaining to a system of keeping records or information on cards or sheets in such a way that the desired reference can be brought instantly to view: a visible index. 5. Commerce . a. available or accessible; already existing, as goods in a warehouse or in transit as opposed to goods in production: visible supply. b. involving actual goods that have been recorded or accounted for: visible trade. 6. prepared or converted for visual presentation; represented visually. Origin: 130050; Middle English < Latin vsibilis, equivalent to vs ( us ) ( see vision) + -ibilis -ible

Nothing, that is, except a small black silhouette on the sidewalk in the lower left-hand corner of the photograph

silhouette [sil-oo-et] noun, verb, -etted, -etting. noun 1. a two-dimensional representation of the outline of an object, as a cutout or configurational drawing, uniformly filled in with black, especially a black-paper, miniature cutout of the outlines of a famous person's face. 2. the outline or general shape of something: the slim silhouette of a skyscraper. 3. a dark image outlined against a lighter background. verb (used with object) 4. to show in or as if in a silhouette. 5. Printing . to remove the background details from (a halftone cut) so as to produce an outline effect. Origin: 17901800; < French la silhouette, after Etienne de Silhouette (170967), French finance minister

with his leg slightly raised to place his foot on the shoeshiners stool

slight [slahyt] adjective, -er, -est, verb, noun adjective 1. small in amount, degree, etc.: a slight increase; a slight odor. 2. of little importance, influence, etc.; trivial: a slight cut. 3. slender or slim; not heavily built. 4. frail; flimsy; delicate: a slight fabric. 5. of little substance or strength. verb (used with object) 6. to treat as of little importance. 7. to treat (someone) with indifference; ignore, especially pointedly or contemptuously; snub: to be slighted by society. 8. to do negligently; scamp: to slight one's studies. noun 9. an act or instance of slighting indifference or treatment: Slights marred his work. 10. a pointed and contemptuous discourtesy; affront: She considered not being invited an unforgivable slight.

I could never have invented a more adequate image of the Last Judgment

judgment [juhj-muhnt] noun 1. an act or instance of judging. 2. the ability to judge, make a decision, or form an opinion objectively, authoritatively, and wisely, especially in matters affecting action; good sense; discretion: a man of sound judgment. 3. the demonstration or exercise of such ability or capacity: The major was decorated for the judgment he showed under fire. 4. the forming of an opinion, estimate, notion, or conclusion, as from circumstances presented to the mind: Our judgment as to the cause of his failure must rest on the evidence. 5. the opinion formed: He regretted his hasty judgment. 6. Law . a. a judicial decision given by a judge or court. b. the obligation, especially a debt, arising from a judicial decision. c. the certificate embodying such a decision and issued against the obligor, especially a debtor. 7. a misfortune regarded as inflicted by divine sentence, as for sin. 8. ( usually initial capital letter ) Also called Last Judgment, Final Judgment. the final trial of all people, both the living and dead, at the end of the world. Also, especially British , judgement.

The crowd of humans indeed, all of humanity is present, but it cannot be seen

present [prez-uhnt] adjective 1. being, existing, or occurring at this time or now; current: the present ruler. 2. at this time; at hand; immediate: articles for present use. 3. Grammar . a. noting an action or state occurring at the moment of speaking. Knows is a present form in He knows that. b. noting or pertaining to a tense or other verb formation with such meaning. 4. being with one or others or in the specified or understood place: to be present at the wedding. 5. being here: Is everyone present? 6. existing or occurring in a place, thing, combination, or the like: Carbon is present in many minerals. 7. being actually here or under consideration: the present document; the present topic. 8. being before the mind. 9. Obsolete . mentally alert and calm, especially in emergencies. 10. Obsolete . immediate or instant. noun 11. the present time. 12. Grammar . a. the present tense. b. a verb formation or construction with present meaning. c.a form in the present.

see [see] verb, saw, seen, seeing. verb (used with object) 1. to perceive with the eyes; look at. 2. to view; visit or attend as a spectator: to see a play. 3. to perceive by means of computer vision. 4. to scan or view, especially by electronic means: The satellite can see the entire southern half of the country. 5. to perceive (things) mentally; discern; understand: to see the point of an argument. verb (used without object) 22. to have the power of sight. 23. to be capable of perceiving by means of computer vision. 24. to understand intellectually or spiritually; have insight: Philosophy teaches us to see. 25. to give attention or care: See, there it goes. 26. to find out; make inquiry: Go and see for yourself.

a single life: precisely this one and no other

In the supreme instant, man, each man, is given over forever to his smallest, most everyday gesture

thanks to the photographic lens, that gesture is now charged with the weight of an entire life

I believe there is a secret relationship between gesture and photography

The power of the gesture to summon and sum up entire orders of angelic powers resides in the photographic lens and has its locus, its opportune moment, in photography

represented his characters with a gesture charged with destiny, that he fixed them in the irrevocability of an infernal beyond

the shades of the dead repeat the same gesture ad infinitum

Here, eternal repetition is the cipher of an apokatastasis, the infinite recapitulation of an existence

All these photographs contain an unmistakable historical index

a certain exigency: the subject shown in the photo demands something from us

The concept of exigency is particularly important and must not be confused with factual necessity

precisely because of this that person and that face demand their name; they demand not to be forgotten

the image of the fishwife gives rise to an exigency

they felt they were being watched by the people portrayed

I know with absolute certainty that she is and will be my judge

In the first he saw an excess of geometrical construction

The photograph is always more than an image

a sublime breach between the sensible and the intelligible

between copy and reality

repeatedly asked themselves whether the body would be resuscitated in the condition it happened to be in at the moment of death (perhaps old, bald, missing a leg) or in the integrity of its youth

Photography is, in this sense, a prophecy of the glorious body

he went to great lengths to obtain photographs of the people he loved and admired

grasps the real that is always in the process of being lost, in order to render it possible once again

the angel of photography bolds in his hands at the end of all days

exigency [ek-si-juhn-see, ig-zij-uhn-] noun, plural -cies. 1. exigent state or character; urgency. 2. Usually, exigencies. the need, demand, or requirement intrinsic to a circumstance, condition, etc.: the exigencies of city life. 3. a case or situation that demands prompt action or remedy; emergency: He promised help in any exigency. Also, exigence. Origin: 157585; < Medieval Latin exigentia. See exigent, -ency Synonyms 3. crisis, contingency, plight, strait; predicament, fix, pinch.

concept [kon-sept] noun 1. a general notion or idea; conception. 2. an idea of something formed by mentally combining all its characteristics or particulars; a construct. 3. a directly conceived or intuited object of thought. verb (used with object) 4. Informal . to develop a concept of; conceive: Experts pooled their talents to concept the new car. Origin: 155060; < Latin conceptum something conceived, orig. neuter of conceptus (past participle of concipere ), equivalent to con- con- + cep- (variant stem of -cipere, combining form of capere to seize) + -tus past participle ending

factual [fak-choo-uhl] adjective 1. of or pertaining to facts; concerning facts: factual accuracy. 2. based on or restricted to facts: a factual report. Origin: 182535; fact + -ual, after effectual or actual

necessity [nuh-ses-i-tee] Show IPA noun, plural -ties. 1. something necessary or indispensable: food, shelter, and other necessities of life. 2. the fact of being necessary or indispensable; indispensability: the necessity of adequate housing. 3. an imperative requirement or need for something: the necessity for a quick decision. 4. the state or fact of being necessary or inevitable: to face the necessity of testifying in court. 5. an unavoidable need or compulsion to do something: not by choice but by necessity. 6. a state of being in financial need; poverty: a family in dire necessity. 7. Philosophy . the quality of following inevitably from logical, physical, or moral laws. Idiom 8. of necessity, as an inevitable result; unavoidably; necessarily: Our trip to China must of necessity be postponed for a while. Origin: 132575; Middle English necessite < Latin necessits, equivalent to necess ( e ) needful + -its -ity

forget [fer-get] verb, -got or ( Archaic ) -gat; -gotten or -got; -getting. verb (used with object) 1. to cease or fail to remember; be unable to recall: to forget someone's name. 2. to omit or neglect unintentionally: I forgot to shut the window before leaving. 3. to leave behind unintentionally; neglect to take: to forget one's keys. 4. to omit mentioning; leave unnoticed. 5. to fail to think of; take no note of. 6. to neglect willfully; disregard or slight. verb (used without object) 7. to cease or omit to think of something. Idiom 8. forget oneself, to say or do something improper or unbefitting one's rank, position, or character. Origin: before 900; for- + get; replacing Middle English foryeten, Old English forg ( i ) etan; cognate with Old Saxon fargetan, Old High German firgezzan

construction [kuhn-struhk-shuhn] noun 1. the act or art of constructing. 2. the way in which a thing is constructed: a building of solid construction. 3. something that is constructed; a structure. 4. the occupation or industry of building: He works in construction. 5. Grammar . a. the arrangement of two or more forms in a grammatical unit. Constructions involving bound forms are often called morphological, as the bound forms fif- and -teen. Those involving only free forms are often called syntactic, as the good man, in the house. Compare bound form, free form. b. a word or phrase consisting of two or more forms arranged in a particular way. c. a group of words or morphemes for which there is a rule in some part of the grammar. 6. explanation or interpretation, as of a law, a text, or an action. Origin: 13501400; Middle English (< Middle French ) < Latin constrctin- (stem of constrcti ) a putting together, building, equivalent to constrct ( us ) ( see construct) + -in- -ion

image [im-ij] noun, verb, -aged, -aging. noun 1. a physical likeness or representation of a person, animal, or thing, photographed, painted, sculptured, or otherwise made visible. 2. an optical counterpart or appearance of an object, as is produced by reflection from a mirror, refraction by a lens, or the passage of luminous rays through a small aperture and their reception on a surface. 3. a mental representation; idea; conception. 4. Psychology . a mental representation of something previously perceived, in the absence of the original stimulus. 5. form; appearance; semblance: We are all created in God's image. 6. counterpart; copy: That child is the image of his mother. 7. a symbol; emblem. 8. the general or public perception of a company, public figure, etc., especially as achieved by careful calculation aimed at creating widespread goodwill. 9. a type; embodiment: Red-faced and angry, he was the image of frustration. 10. a description of something in speech or writing: Keats created some of the most beautiful images in the language. 11. Rhetoric . a figure of speech, especially a metaphor or a simile. 12. an idol or representation of a deity: They knelt down before graven images. 13. Mathematics . the point or set of points in the range corresponding to a designated point in the domain of a given function.

sublime [suh-blahym] adjective, noun, verb, -limed, -liming. adjective 1. elevated or lofty in thought, language, etc.: Paradise Lost is sublime poetry. 2. impressing the mind with a sense of grandeur or power; inspiring awe, veneration, etc.: Switzerland has sublime scenery. 3. supreme or outstanding: a sublime dinner. 4. complete; absolute; utter: sublime stupidity. 5. Archaic . a. of lofty bearing. b. haughty. 6. Archaic . raised high; high up. noun 7. the sublime, a. the realm of things that are sublime: the sublime in art. b. the quality of sublimity. c. the greatest or supreme degree.

sensible [sen-suh-buhl] adjective 1. having, using, or showing good sense or sound judgment: a sensible young woman. 2. cognizant; keenly aware (usually followed by of ): sensible of his fault. 3. significant in quantity, magnitude, etc.; considerable; appreciable: a sensible reduction in price. 4. capable of being perceived by the senses; material: the sensible universe. 5. capable of feeling or perceiving, as organs or parts of the body. 6. perceptible to the mind. 7. conscious: The patient was speechless but still sensible. 8. Archaic . sensitive. Origin: 132575; Middle English < Old French < Latin snsibilis, equivalent to sns ( us ) sense + -ibilis -ible

intelligible [in-tel-i-juh-buhl] Show IPA adjective 1. capable of being understood; comprehensible; clear: an intelligible response. 2. Philosophy . apprehensible by the mind only; conceptual. Origin: 13501400; Middle English < Latin intelligibilis, equivalent to intellig- ( see intelligent) + -ibilis -ible

copy [kop-ee] noun, plural copies, for 1, 2, 7, 9, verb, copied, copying. noun 1. an imitation, reproduction, or transcript of an original: a copy of a famous painting. 2. one of the various examples or specimens of the same book, engraving, or the like. 3. written matter intended to be reproduced in printed form: The editor sent the copy for the next issue to the printer. 4. the text of a news story, advertisement, television commercial, etc., as distinguished from related visual material. 5. the newsworthiness of a person, thing, or event (often preceded by good or bad ): The president is always good copy. Compare news ( def. 4 ) . 6. Computers . an exact duplicate of a file, program, etc.: Keep a backup copy of the document. 7. Genetics . replication ( def. 7 ) . 8. Printing . pictures and artwork prepared for reproduction. 9. British Informal . (in schools) a composition; a written assignment. 10. British . a size of drawing or writing paper, 16 20 inches (40 50 cm). 11. Archaic . something that is to be reproduced; an example or pattern, as of penmanship to be copied by a pupil.

reality [ree-al-i-tee] noun, plural realities for 3, 57. 1. the state or quality of being real. 2. resemblance to what is real. 3. a real thing or fact. 4. real things, facts, or events taken as a whole; state of affairs: the reality of the business world; vacationing to escape reality. 5. Philosophy . a. something that exists independently of ideas concerning it. b. something that exists independently of all other things and from which all other things derive. adjective 8. noting or pertaining to a TV program or film that portrays nonactors interacting or competing with each other in real but contrived situations, allegedly without a script: a popular reality show; reality TV. Idiom 9. in reality, in fact or truth; actually: brave in appearance, but in reality a coward. Origin: 154050; < Medieval Latin relits. See real1 , -ity

resuscitate [ri-suhs-i-teyt] verb (used with object), -tated, -tating. to revive, especially from apparent death or from unconsciousness. Origin: 152535; < Latin resuscittus (past participle of resuscitre to reawaken), equivalent to re- re- + sus- sus- + cit ( re ) to move, arouse ( see cite1 ) + -tus ate 1

condition [kuhn-dish-uhn] noun 1. a particular mode of being of a person or thing; existing state; situation with respect to circumstances. 2. state of health: He was reported to be in critical condition. 3. fit or requisite state: to be out of condition; to be in no condition to run. 4. social position: in a lowly condition. 5. a restricting, limiting, or modifying circumstance: It can happen only under certain conditions. 6. a circumstance indispensable to some result; prerequisite; that on which something else is contingent: conditions of acceptance. 7. Usually, conditions. existing circumstances: poor living conditions. 8. something demanded as an essential part of an agreement; provision; stipulation: He accepted on one condition. 9. Law . a. a stipulation in an agreement or instrument transferring property that provides for a change consequent on the occurrence or nonoccurrence of a stated event. b. the event upon which this stipulation depends. 10. Informal . an abnormal or diseased state of part of the body: heart condition; skin condition. 11. U.S. Education . a. a requirement imposed on a college student who fails to reach the prescribed standard in a course at the end of the regular period of instruction, permitting credit to be established by later performance. b. the course or subject to which the requirement is attached.

death [deth] noun 1. the act of dying; the end of life; the total and permanent cessation of all the vital functions of an organism. Compare brain death. 2. an instance of this: a death in the family; letters published after his death. 3. the state of being dead: to lie still in death. 4. extinction; destruction: It will mean the death of our hopes. 5. manner of dying: a hero's death. 6. ( usually initial capital letter ) the agent of death personified, usually represented as a man or a skeleton carrying a scythe. Compare Grim Reaper. 7. Also called spiritual death. loss or absence of spiritual life. 8. Christian Science . the false belief that life comes to an end. 9. bloodshed or murder: Hitler was responsible for the death of millions. 10. a cause or occasion of death: You'll be the death of me yet! 11. Archaic . pestilence; plague. Compare Black Death.

prophecy [prof-uh-see] noun, plural -cies. 1. the foretelling or prediction of what is to come. 2. something that is declared by a prophet, especially a divinely inspired prediction, instruction, or exhortation. 3. a divinely inspired utterance or revelation: oracular prophecies. 4. the action, function, or faculty of a prophet. Origin: 11751225; Middle English prophecie < Old French < Late Latin prophta < Greek prophtea. See prophet, -y3 Can be confused: prophecy, prophesy.

process [pros-es; especially Brit. proh-ses] noun, plural processes [pros-es-iz, -uh-siz, -uh-seez or, especially Brit., proh-ses-, proh-suh-] Show IPA, verb, adjective noun 1. a systematic series of actions directed to some end: to devise a process for homogenizing milk. 2. a continuous action, operation, or series of changes taking place in a definite manner: the process of decay. 3. Law . a. the summons, mandate, or writ by which a defendant or thing is brought before court for litigation. b. the whole course of the proceedings in an action at law. 4. Photography . photomechanical or photoengraving methods collectively. 5. Biology, Anatomy . a natural outgrowth, projection, or appendage: a process of a bone. 6. the action of going forward or on. 7. the condition of being carried on. 8. course or lapse, as of time. 9. conk4 ( defs. 1, 2 ) .

supreme [suh-preem, soo-] adjective 1. highest in rank or authority; paramount; sovereign; chief. 2. of the highest quality, degree, character, importance, etc.: supreme courage. 3. greatest, utmost, or extreme: supreme disgust. 4. last or final; ultimate. Origin: 151020; < Latin suprmus, superlative of superus upper, adj. derivative of super ( see super-)

instant [in-stuhnt] Show IPA noun 1. an infinitesimal or very short space of time; a moment: They arrived not an instant too soon. 2. the point of time now present or present with reference to some action or event. 3. a particular moment: at the instant of contact. 4. a food or beverage, especially coffee, specially processed for quick preparation. 5. Older Use . the present or current month. adjective 6. succeeding without any interval of time; prompt; immediate: instant relief from a headache. 7. pressing or urgent: instant need. 8. noting a food or beverage requiring a minimal amount of time and effort to prepare, as by heating or the addition of milk or water, before being served or used: instant coffee; instant pudding. 9. occurring, done, or prepared with a minimal amount of time and effort; produced rapidly and with little preparation: an instant book; instant answers; instant history. 10. designed to act or produce results quickly or immediately: an instant lottery.

charge [chahrj] verb, charged, charging, noun verb (used with object) 1. to impose or ask as a price or fee: That store charges $25 for leather gloves. 2. to impose on or ask of (someone) a price or fee: He didn't charge me for it. 3. to defer payment for (a purchase) until a bill is rendered by the creditor: The store let me charge the coat. 4. to hold liable for payment; enter a debit against. 5. to attack by rushing violently against: The cavalry charged the enemy. 6. to accuse formally or explicitly (usually followed by with ): They charged him with theft. 7. to impute; ascribe the responsibility for: He charged the accident to his own carelessness. 8. to instruct authoritatively, as a judge does a jury. 9. to lay a command or injunction upon: He charged his secretary with the management of his correspondence. 10. to fill or furnish (a thing) with the quantity, as of powder or fuel, that it is fitted to receive: to charge a musket. 11. to supply with a quantity of electric charge or electrical energy: to charge a storage battery. 12. to change the net amount of positive or negative electric charge of (a particle, body, or system). 13. to suffuse, as with emotion: The air was charged with excitement. 14. to fill (air, water, etc.) with other matter in a state of diffusion or solution: The air was charged with pollen. 15. Metallurgy . to load (materials) into a furnace, converter, etc. 16. to load or burden (the mind, heart, etc.): His mind was charged with weighty matters. 17. to put a load or burden on or in.

secret [see-krit] adjective 1. done, made, or conducted without the knowledge of others: secret negotiations. 2. kept from the knowledge of any but the initiated or privileged: a secret password. 3. faithful or cautious in keeping confidential matters confidential; close-mouthed; reticent. 4. designed or working to escape notice, knowledge, or observation: a secret drawer; the secret police. 5. secluded, sheltered, or withdrawn: a secret hiding place. 6. beyond ordinary human understanding; esoteric. 7. (of information, a document, etc.) a. bearing the classification secret. b. limited to persons authorized to use information documents, etc., so classified. noun 8. something that is or is kept secret, hidden, or concealed. 9. a mystery: the secrets of nature. 10. a reason or explanation not immediately or generally apparent. 11. a method, formula, plan, etc., known only to the initiated or the few: the secret of happiness; a trade secret. 12. a classification assigned to information, a document, etc., considered less vital to security than top-secret but more vital than confidential, and limiting its use to persons who have been cleared, as by various government agencies, as trustworthy to handle such material. Compare classification ( def. 5 ) .

relationship [ri-ley-shuhn-ship] noun 1. a connection, association, or involvement. 2. connection between persons by blood or marriage. 3. an emotional or other connection between people: the relationship between teachers and students. 4. a sexual involvement; affair. Origin: 173545; relation + -ship Related forms prerelationship, noun Synonyms 1. dependence, alliance, kinship. 2. affinity, consanguinity. Relationship, kinship refer to connection with others by blood or by marriage. Relationship can be applied to connection either by birth or by marriage: relationship to a ruling family. Kinship generally denotes common descent and implies a more intimate connection than relationship: the ties and obligations of kinship.

angelic [an-jel-ik] adjective 1. of or belonging to angels: the angelic host. 2. like or befitting an angel, especially in virtue, beauty, etc.: angelic sweetness. Also, angelical. Origin: 13501400; Middle English angelyk < Late Latin angelicus < Greek angeliks. See angel, -ic

power [pou-er] noun 1. ability to do or act; capability of doing or accomplishing something. 2. political or national strength: the balance of power in Europe. 3. great or marked ability to do or act; strength; might; force. 4. the possession of control or command over others; authority; ascendancy: power over men's minds. 5. political ascendancy or control in the government of a country, state, etc.: They attained power by overthrowing the legal government. 6. legal ability, capacity, or authority: the power of attorney. 7. delegated authority; authority granted to a person or persons in a particular office or capacity: the powers of the president. 8. a document or written statement conferring legal authority. 9. a person or thing that possesses or exercises authority or influence. 10. a state or nation having international authority or influence: The great powers held an international conference. 11. a military or naval force: The Spanish Armada was a mighty power. 12. Often, powers. a deity; divinity: the heavenly powers. 13. powers, Theology. an order of angels. Compare angel (def. 1). 14. Dialect. a large number or amount: There's a power of good eatin' at the church social.

locus [loh-kuhs] noun, plural -ci [-sahy, -kee, -kahy] Show IPA, -ca [-kuh] Show IPA. 1. a place; locality. 2. a center or source, as of activities or power: locus of control. 3. Mathematics . the set of all points, lines, or surfaces that satisfy a given requirement. 4. Genetics . the chromosomal position of a gene as determined by its linear order relative to the other genes on that chromosome. Origin: 152535; < Latin; OL stlocus a place

opportune [op-er-toon, -tyoon] Show IPA adjective 1. appropriate, favorable, or suitable: an opportune phrase for the occasion. 2. occurring or coming at an appropriate time; well-timed: an opportune warning. Origin: 13751425; late Middle English < Latin opportnus convenient, equivalent to op- op- + portu-, stem of portus access, port1 + -nus adj. suffix ( u lengthened as in tribnus tribune) Can be confused: opportune, opportunistic (see synonym note at the current entry ). Synonyms 1. apt; fortunate, propitious. 2. convenient. Opportune, seasonable, timely refer to something that is particularly fitting or suitable for a certain time. Opportune refers to something that is well-timed and meets exactly the demands of the time or occasion: an opportune remark. Something that is seasonable is right or proper for the time or season or occasion: seasonable weather. Something that is timely occurs or is done at an appropriate time, especially in time to meet some need: timely intervention.

irrevocable [ih-rev-uh-kuh-buhl] Show IPA adjective not to be revoked or recalled; unable to be repealed or annulled; unalterable: an irrevocable decree. Origin: 13501400; Middle English < Latin irrevocbilis. See ir-2 , revocable

infernal [in-fur-nl] 1. hellish; fiendish; diabolical: an infernal plot. 2. extremely troublesome, annoying, etc.; outrageous: an infernal nuisance. 3. of, inhabiting, or befitting hell. 4. Classical Mythology . of or pertaining to the underworld. Origin: 132575; Middle English < Late Latin infernlis, equivalent to Latin infern ( us ) situated below, of the underworld (see inferior) + -lis -al1 Synonyms 2. devilish, cursed, monstrous.

beyond [bee-ond, bih-yond] preposition 1. on, at, or to the farther side of: Beyond those trees you'll find his house. 2. farther on than; more distant than: beyond the horizon; beyond the sea. 3. outside the understanding, limits, or reach of; past: beyond comprehension; beyond endurance; beyond help. 4. superior to; surpassing; above: wise beyond all others. 5. more than; in excess of; over and above: to stay beyond one's welcome. adverb 6. farther on or away: as far as the house and beyond. Idiom 7. the beyond, a. that which is at a great distance. b. Also, the great beyond. the afterlife; life after death. Origin: before 1000; Middle English beyonden, Old English begeondan. See be-, yond (adv.)

question [kwes-chuhn] noun 1. a sentence in an interrogative form, addressed to someone in order to get information in reply. 2. a problem for discussion or under discussion; a matter for investigation. 3. a matter of some uncertainty or difficulty; problem (usually followed by of ): It was simply a question of time. 4. a subject of dispute or controversy. 5. a proposal to be debated or voted on, as in a meeting or a deliberative assembly. 6. the procedure of putting a proposal to vote. 7. Politics . a problem of public policy submitted to the voters for an expression of opinion. 8. Law . a. a controversy that is submitted to a judicial tribunal or administrative agency for decision. b. the interrogation by which information is secured. c. Obsolete . judicial examination or trial. 9. the act of asking or inquiring; interrogation; query. 10. inquiry into or discussion of some problem or doubtful matter. verb (used with object) 11. to ask (someone) a question; ask questions of; interrogate. 12. to ask or inquire. 13. to make a question of; doubt: He questioned her sincerity. 14. to challenge or dispute: She questioned the judge's authority in the case.

pagan [pey-guhn] noun 1. one of a people or community observing a polytheistic religion, as the ancient Romans and Greeks. 2. a person who is not a Christian, Jew, or Muslim. 3. an irreligious or hedonistic person. adjective 4. pertaining to the worship or worshipers of any religion that is neither Christian, Jewish, nor Muslim. 5. of, pertaining to, or characteristic of pagans. 6. irreligious or hedonistic. Origin: 132575; Middle English < Medieval Latin, Late Latin pgnus worshiper of false gods, orig. civilian (i.e., not a soldier of Christ), Latin: peasant, noun use of pgnus rural, civilian, derivative of pgus village, rural district (akin to pangere to fix, make fast); see -an

eternal [ih-tur-nl] adjective 1. without beginning or end; lasting forever; always existing ( opposed to temporal): eternal life. 2. perpetual; ceaseless; endless: eternal quarreling; eternal chatter. 3. enduring; immutable: eternal principles. 4. Metaphysics . existing outside all relations of time; not subject to change. noun 5. something that is eternal. 6. the Eternal, God. Origin: 13501400; Middle English < Late Latin aeternlis, equivalent to aetern ( us ) ( see eterne) + -lis -al1

repetition [rep-i-tish-uhn] Show IPA noun 1. the act of repeating; repeated action, performance, production, or presentation. 2. repeated utterance; reiteration. 3. something made by or resulting from repeating. 4. a reproduction, copy, or replica. 5. Civil Law . an action or demand for the recovery of a payment or delivery made by error or upon failure to fulfill a condition. Origin: 13751425; late Middle English (< Old French repeticion ) < Latin repettin- (stem of repetti ), equivalent to repett ( us ) (past participle of repetere to repeat) + -in- -ion

cipher [sahy-fer] Show IPA noun 1. zero. 2. any of the Arabic numerals or figures. 3. Arabic numerical notation collectively. 4. something of no value or importance. 5. a person of no influence; nonentity. 6. a secret method of writing, as by transposition or substitution of letters, specially formed symbols, or the like. Compare cryptography. 7. writing done by such a method; a coded message. 8. the key to a secret method of writing. 9. a combination of letters, as the initials of a name, in one design; monogram. verb (used without object) 10. to use figures or numerals arithmetically. 11. to write in or as in cipher. verb (used with object) 12. to calculate numerically; figure. 13. to convert into cipher.

apocatastasis [ap-oh-kuh-tas-tuh-sis] noun 1. the state of being restored or reestablished; restitution. 2. the doctrine that Satan and all sinners will ultimately be restored to God. Also, apokatastasis. Compare universalism ( def. 3 ) . Origin: 167080; < Latin < Greek: a setting up again. See apo-, catastasis

infinite [in-fuh-nit] Show IPA adjective 1. immeasurably great: an infinite capacity for forgiveness. 2. indefinitely or exceedingly great: infinite sums of money. 3. unlimited or unmeasurable in extent of space, duration of time, etc.: the infinite nature of outer space. 4. unbounded or unlimited; boundless; endless: God's infinite mercy. 5. Mathematics . a. not finite. b. (of a set) having elements that can be put into one-to-one correspondence with a subset that is not the given set. noun 6. something that is infinite. 7. Mathematics . an infinite quantity or magnitude. 8. the boundless regions of space. 9. the Infinite (Being), God. Origin: 13501400; Middle English < Latin infntus boundless. See in-3 , finite

recapitulation [ree-kuh-pich-uh-ley-shuhn] noun 1. the act of recapitulating or the state of being recapitulated. 2. a brief review or summary, as of a speech. 3. Biology . the theory that the stages an organism passes through during its embryonic development repeat the evolutionary stages of structural change in its ancestral lineage. 4. Music . the modified restatement of the exposition following the development section in a sonata-form movement. Origin: 13501400; Middle English recapitulacioun < Late Latin recapitultin- (stem of recapitulti ), equivalent to recapitult ( us ) ( see recapitulate) + -in- -ion

summon [suhm-uhn] Show IPA verb (used with object) 1. to call upon to do something specified. 2. to call for the presence of, as by command, message, or signal; call. 3. to call or notify to appear at a specified place, especially before a court: to summon a defendant. 4. to authorize or order a gathering of; call together by authority, as for deliberation or action: to summon parliament. 5. to call into action; rouse; call forth (often. followed by up ): to summon all ones courage. Origin: 11751225; < Medieval Latin summonre to summon, Latin: to remind unofficially, suggest, equivalent to sum- sum+ monre to remind, warn; replacing Middle English somonen < Old French semondre, somondre < Vulgar Latin *summonere, Latin summonre, as above

existence [ig-zis-tuhns] noun 1. the state or fact of existing; being. 2. continuance in being or life; life: a struggle for existence. 3. mode of existing: They were working for a better existence. 4. all that exists: Existence shows a universal order. 5. something that exists; entity; being. Origin: 13501400; Middle English < Late Latin ex ( s ) istentia. See exist, -ence

index [in-deks] noun, plural -dexes, -dices [-duh-seez] Show IPA, verb noun 1. (in a nonfiction book, monograph, etc.) a more or less detailed alphabetical listing of names, places, and topics along with the numbers of the pages on which they are mentioned or discussed, usually included in or constituting the back matter. 2. a sequential arrangement of material, especially in alphabetical or numerical order. 3. something used or serving to point out; a sign, token, or indication: a true index of his character. 4. something that directs attention to some fact, condition, etc.; a guiding principle. 5. a pointer or indicator in a scientific instrument. 6. a piece of wood, metal, or the like, serving as a pointer or indicator. 7. Computers . a. a value that identifies and is used to locate a particular element within a data array or table. b. a reference table that contains the keys or references needed to address data items. 8. Also called fist, hand. Printing . a sign in the shape of a hand with extended index finger, used to point out a particular note, paragraph, etc. 9. a light, smooth cardboard stock. 10. the forefinger. 11. a number or formula expressing some property, ratio, etc., of something indicated: index of growth; index of intelligence.

demand [dih-mand, -mahnd] verb (used with object) 1. to ask for with proper authority; claim as a right: He demanded payment of the debt. 2. to ask for peremptorily or urgently: He demanded sanctuary. She demanded that we let her in. 3. to call for or require as just, proper, or necessary: This task demands patience. justice demands objectivity. 4. Law . a. to lay formal legal claim to. b. to summon, as to court. verb (used without object) 5. to make a demand; inquire; ask. noun 6. the act of demanding. 7. something that is demanded. 8. an urgent or pressing requirement: demands upon one's time. 9. Economics . a. the desire to purchase, coupled with the power to do so. b. the quantity of goods that buyers will take at a particular price. 10. a requisition; a legal claim: The demands of the client could not be met.

between [bih-tween] preposition 1. in the space separating (two points, objects, etc.): between New York and Chicago. 2. intermediate to, in time, quantity, or degree: between twelve and one oclock; between 50 and 60 apples; between pink and red. 3. linking; connecting: air service between cities. 4. in portions for each of (two people): splitting the profits between them. 5. among: sharing the responsibilities between the five of us. 6. by the dual or common action or participation of: Between us, we can finish the job in a couple of hours. 7. distinguishing one from the other: He couldnt see the difference between good and bad. 8. in comparing: no preference between the two wines. 9. by the combined effect of. 10. existing confidentially for: Well keep this matter between the two of us. 11. involving; concerning: war between nations; choice between things. 12. being felt jointly or reciprocated by: the love between them. 13. by joint possession of: Between them they own most of this company. 14. Heraldry . in the midst of, so as to make a symmetrical composition: a cross argent between four bezants.

i do szabli, i do szklanki