noun pl. phenomena , phenomenons
- any event, circumstance, or experience that is apparent to the senses and that can be scientifically described or appraised, as an eclipse
- in Kantian philosophy, a thing as it appears in perception as distinguished from the thing as it is in itself independent of sense experience
- any extremely unusual or extraordinary thing or occurrence
- Informal a person with an extraordinary quality, aptitude, etc.; prodigy
Origin:
LL phaenomenon < Gr phainomenon, neut. prp. of phainesthai, to appear, akin to phainein: see fantasy