mikhail epstein's definitions
thanatagogy n (Greek thanatos, death + Greek agein, to lead; cf pedagogy, demagogy, mystagogy) Ð initiation into death, preparation for dying.
Thanatology is the study of death and dying; thanatagogy is a practical branch of this knowledge. The Egyptian "Book of the Dead" is the most ancient manual in thanatagogy.
For Plato, philosophy is thebasis of thanatagogy. To study philosophy is nothing but to prepare oneself to die.
For Plato, philosophy is thebasis of thanatagogy. To study philosophy is nothing but to prepare oneself to die.
by Mikhail Epstein November 7, 2003
Get the thanatagogy mug.amortify verb trans. (Lat. amor, love + Lat. mort, death + suffix ify)
to act both with affection and ruthlessness, to inflict suffering or ruin by love.
to act both with affection and ruthlessness, to inflict suffering or ruin by love.
Dostoevsky's novel "The Idiot" is the story of four principal characters who consistently attempt to amortify each other and eventually succeed.
by Mikhail Epstein November 15, 2003
Get the amortify mug.oneirogenic adj (from Greek oneiros, "dream" + genic; cf. photogenic, telegenic) Ð having a propensity to appear in somebody's dreams.
Some people are photogenic while others are oneirogenic. These characteristics rarely coincide. A person who is plain and unnoticeable in real life may haunt our dreams and imagination.
Have you noticed that cats are more oneirogenic than dogs?
To surprise your friends at a party, ask them: "Do you find me "oneirogenic"? If the answer is "yesÓ, ask them to recall your adventures in their dreams.
Have you noticed that cats are more oneirogenic than dogs?
To surprise your friends at a party, ask them: "Do you find me "oneirogenic"? If the answer is "yesÓ, ask them to recall your adventures in their dreams.
by Mikhail Epstein November 2, 2003
Get the oneirogenic mug.virtonautics n (virtual + nautics, from Greek nautikos, of ships, sailing, like in astronautics) Ð experimental exploration and development of virtual worlds.
Now virtonautics is still in embryo, but in the future it will become as common an occupation as aeronautics and astronautics today.
by Mikhail Epstein November 2, 2003
Get the virtonautics mug.hibyer, n. (hi+bye+suffix er)
a marginal acquaintance with whom "hi' and "bye" are the most typical units of verbal exchange; the vocabulary of a minimal relationship.
a marginal acquaintance with whom "hi' and "bye" are the most typical units of verbal exchange; the vocabulary of a minimal relationship.
Do you know this woman? - Not really, we are hibyers.
They were married for ten years, but now they are only hibyers.
I was surprised when hibyer stopped for a more substantial conversation.
They were married for ten years, but now they are only hibyers.
I was surprised when hibyer stopped for a more substantial conversation.
by Mikhail Epstein November 16, 2003
Get the hibyer mug.webbiage n (web + suffix iage, like in verbiage) Ð excessive use of web tools and design beyond those needed to present a certain content or achieve a certain goal.
by Mikhail Epstein November 2, 2003
Get the webbiage mug.philophobia n (Greek philia, love + phobia, fear) - a persistent, abnormal, and irrational fear of love and intimacy, of deep relationship with smbd.
It seems Stalin suffered from philophobia. He never had a deep personal relationship with anybody, a man or a woman, either friendship or love.
by Mikhail Epstein November 7, 2003
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