Mirabilis

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A descriptor for something that is exceptionally astonishing or extraordinary, highlighting its captivating and remarkable nature in a way that inspires admiration and wonder
2. This term conveys the sense of being extraordinarily impressive or surprising, often invoking feelings of awe and delight in those who encounter it
3. Referring to something exceptionally striking that arouses delight and admiration

Etymology: "Mirabilis" is a Latin adjective meaning "wonderful" or "astonishing," built on "mirari," "to wonder at" or "to marvel." That root also gave English "miracle" and "admire," so the word sits in a family of ideas about being struck with amazement. In English, the word itself survives mainly as a botanical term: it is the genus name for the four-o'clock plants, a group whose flowers open in the late afternoon and whose showy blooms earned the Latin label. The genus was named by Linnaeus, who chose a Latin adjective that promised marvels. Because the word was borrowed directly into scientific Latin rather than passing through ordinary English speech, it kept its original sense of something exceptionally striking, arousing both delight and admiration. Its doublet "mirable," a older English adjective from the same Latin source, shows the same root taking a more everyday path into the language.