The English language is vast, and the number of unique words used to describe the world around us is seemingly endless. We often come across words that are so unique, so special and so obscure, that they’re hard to forget. Here are 9 of those words that you'll want to start using immediately.
Petrichor
The first of these words is petrichor. Petrichor is the pleasant smell of earth after rain. This word is derived from the Greek words petros, meaning stone, and ichor, the fluid that flows in the veins of the gods in Greek Mythology. Petrichor is a perfect way to describe that earthy smell that comes after a summer storm.
Vellichor
Vellichor is the strange wistfulness of used bookstores. It's the feeling you get when you walk into an old bookstore and instead of the smell of new books, you smell the musty aroma of books that have been read and loved by many. Vellichor is the smell of nostalgia and is sure to bring a smile to your face.
Phosphenes
Phosphenes are the strange lights and shapes that you see when you close your eyes. This is caused by the stimulation of the retina when pressure is applied to the eyeball. Phosphenes are a great way to describe the strange shapes and colors that you see when you close your eyes.
Caliginosity
Caliginosity is the darkness of a foggy night. This word perfectly captures the feeling of being enveloped in a thick fog, with only the faintest hint of light. Caliginosity is the perfect word to describe a foggy night.
Onism
Onism is the frustration of being stuck in only one body, that inhabits only one place at a time. Onism perfectly captures the feeling of wanting to be in more than one place at once, and wishing that you could experience more of the world.
Yūgen
Yūgen is the feeling of awe and mystery evoked by the world around us. Yūgen is the feeling of being overwhelmed by the beauty of the world and the realization of how small we are in the grand scheme of things.
Lachesism
Lachesism is the desire to be struck by disaster, in order to experience the feeling of being alive. This word perfectly captures the feeling of wanting to experience something that shakes you to your core and forces you to live in the moment.
Liberosis
Liberosis is the desire to care less about things. This is the feeling of wanting to let go of the need to always be in control, and to just let life happen. Liberosis is a great way to describe the feeling of wanting to just let go and enjoy life.
These 9 obscure words are sure to add a little extra flavor to your vocabulary. They are perfect for describing the little things in life, and help to bring the world around us to life. So the next time you are looking for a word to describe something, why not try one of these 9 obscure words?