manifestation
UK[ˌmæn.ɪ.feˈsteɪ.ʃən]US[ˌmæn.ə.feˈsteɪ.ʃən]
n
An event, action, or object that clearly shows or embodies something, especially an abstract idea or feeling.
n
The act of showing something, or making it clear or visible.
Morpheme Breakdown
mani
fest
ation
mani
hand
fest
struck
ation
noun suffix
Etymology
The word 'manifestation' originates from the Latin manifestus, meaning "palpable, evident, caught in the act". This adjective itself is a compound of manus ("hand") and -festus (likely from the root meaning "struck"), conveying the literal sense of something "struck by hand" and therefore tangible or obvious. Over time, the meaning evolved from a physical sense of being graspable or visible to the more abstract concept of making an intangible quality, idea, or spirit evident. The suffix -ation was added to form the noun describing the act or result of this process, leading to its current use for any clear demonstration or embodiment of something.
Analysis
Structure: mani (hand) + fest (struck) + ation (noun suffix)
- mani: From Latin manus, meaning "hand".
- fest: From Latin -festus, as in manifestus, meaning "struck by hand, palpable".
- ation: A suffix of Latin origin (-ationem) forming nouns of action or state.
Examples
The sudden kindness was an unexpected manifestation of his true character.
Skin rashes can be a physical manifestation of extreme stress.
The festival is a vibrant manifestation of the city's cultural heritage.