Both Uses
epiphany
in
Looking for Alaska
(Edited)
- I had an epiphany.
p. 69.1 *epiphany = sudden realization
- That was the epiphany.
p. 69.3
Definitions:
-
(1)
(epiphany) a sudden realization -- especially one of importanceJames Joyce coined common use of the term from Christianity where it refers to the moment it was realized that Jesus was divine. When capitalized, "Epiphany" references that day twelve days after Christmas -- January 6th.
The term was widely used by James Joyce in his critical writings, and the stories in Joyce's Dubliners are commonly called "epiphanies." -
(2)
(meaning too rare to warrant focus) Less commonly, as a proper noun Epiphany commemorates on January 6 how a star led the three wise men to baby Jesus twelve days after his birth.