Mikhail Epstein's definitions
uchronia n. (Gr. ou, not + Gr. khronos, time; literally "no time"; cf. utopia, "no place) Ð a historical period when "nothing happens," a time of stagnation.
As soon as utopia finds its fulfilment in history, it turns into uchronia, a disruption of history itself.
by Mikhail Epstein November 13, 2003
Get the uchronia mug.dunch n (blend of "lunch" and "dinner"; cf. brunch) - a small meal between lunch and dinner in the late afternoon or early evening (about 3- 5 pm.).
This is a more appropriate word for an intermediate meal that once suggested "linner," because it is more similar to lunch than to dinner and is more brief (one syllable). It also follows the model of the neologism for another intermediate (or combined) meal - "brunch."
This is a more appropriate word for an intermediate meal that once suggested "linner," because it is more similar to lunch than to dinner and is more brief (one syllable). It also follows the model of the neologism for another intermediate (or combined) meal - "brunch."
Dunch usually includes tea or coffee with cookies, sometimes a sandwich.
For tomorrow, I have already scheduled lunch and dinner with my colleagues. Let's have a dunch together.
For tomorrow, I have already scheduled lunch and dinner with my colleagues. Let's have a dunch together.
by Mikhail Epstein November 8, 2003
Get the dunch mug.chronomania n (Greek khronos, time + Greek mania, obsession, madness; cf. megalomania, balletomania) - obsession with time and speed; inclination to utilize every moment and to submit one's life to a total time control.
America suffers from chronomania. Faster, faster, faster! Why not to stop and to look in tranquility where we stand and into which future we have been rushing headlong.
Chronomania may become dangerous for your mental health. Try to find a different focus of life, apart from schedules and deadlines.
Chronomania may become dangerous for your mental health. Try to find a different focus of life, apart from schedules and deadlines.
by Mikhail Epstein November 9, 2003
Get the chronomania mug.Nothing in contemporary life carries meaning for him. He is a deeply relicious person, not simply nostalgic.
Some people think that Eastern Orthodox spirituality is more relicious than truly religious.
Some people think that Eastern Orthodox spirituality is more relicious than truly religious.
by Mikhail Epstein November 2, 2003
Get the relicious mug.conaster n from Latin cum, with + Greek astron, star - literally with star, the exact antonym to disaster; the fortunate outcome of an almost imminent disaster; the sensation of a catastrophe narrowly averted and later remembered from the vantage point of safety.
There were several conasters in my life that I cannot recall without thanking God for his undeserved mercy.
You were born under a lucky star. This conaster is an amazing mixture of chance and miracle.
You were born under a lucky star. This conaster is an amazing mixture of chance and miracle.
by Mikhail Epstein November 2, 2003
Get the conaster mug.be a master of ceremonies.
Jimmy is every bit as chairy as Andrew, which spells trouble at a small institution like ours.
She is a wonderful person, but maybe just a touch too chairy to share a household with her.
Jimmy is every bit as chairy as Andrew, which spells trouble at a small institution like ours.
She is a wonderful person, but maybe just a touch too chairy to share a household with her.
by Mikhail Epstein November 2, 2003
Get the chairy mug.astralgia, n. (Gr. astro-, star + Gr. algos Ð pain, grief, distress; cf. nostalgia) - a longing for stars and interstellar travels to the remote corners of the universe; homesickness for cosmos.
The film "Gattaca" is about astralgia. The protagonist, Vincent, though deemed genetically flawed and subsequently fated to Á low-level occupation, pursues to the end his dream of space travel.
by Mikhail Epstein November 16, 2003
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