Remarkables

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

  1. A term referring to a notable series of mountains in New Zealand, known for their stunning beauty and outdoor activities
  2. It can also describe exceptional individuals or events that stand out due to their uniqueness
  3. Additionally, this term can signify any impressive or noteworthy occurrence that attracts attention and admiration

Etymology: The term at hand derives from the adjective "remarkable," which itself entered English around the late 16th century. "Remarkable" originally meant "worthy of notice or observation," built from the verb "remark," meaning "to observe or notice again." The verb "remark" comes from the Old French "remarquer," combining the prefix "re-" meaning "again" with "marquer," meaning "to mark or notice." Thus, the root idea centers on marking something out for attention. When pluralized as a noun, the term typically refers to notable or distinguished things or people that stand out due to exceptional qualities. This nominal use, transforming an adjective into a noun to indicate a group characterized by that quality, likely developed over time from descriptive phrases into a standalone term. Such a shift is common in English, where adjectives evolve into collective nouns to embody a class of distinguished entities. The plural form in this instance signals a collection or group recognized for their extraordinary nature. Though the exact moment of this nominal plural usage is hard to pinpoint, it probably arose in contexts where the adjective was frequently used to describe a particular set of noteworthy features or individuals, eventually becoming a convenient label. In sum, the journey of this word moves from a verb about marking or noticing, through an adjective denoting something worthy of attention, to a noun representing a class of remarkable entities. This progression reflects English’s flexible capacity to shift words across grammatical categories while preserving core semantic ideas about noticeability and distinction.

Synonyms: notables, celebrities, distinguished people, eminences

Antonyms: unknowns, commoners