somnial

English

WOTD – 28 July 2011

Etymology

From obsolete French somnial, from Latin somnialis, from somnium (“dream”).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈsɒmnɪəl/

  • Audio (Southern England)

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Adjective

somnial (not comparable)

1. (rare) Pertaining to dreams. [from 17th c.]
   • 1940, Harvey Cushing, Life of Sir William Osler, volume 2:

     He had indeed been making a study of his dreams, to what purpose or effect is not apparent, but there remains a note-book filled with closely written observations upon them, for he seemed always to awaken with most vivid recollections of astounding, amusing, and bizarre somnial experiences.

   • 1998, Jennifer Ford, Coleridge on Dreaming, page 54:

     Often, it was Sara Hutchinson who was the focus of his somnial fantasy life: he once exclaimed that his dreams were "always connected in some way or another" with her (CN II 2055).

Translations

Pertaining to dreams — see oniric

Anagrams

• Osmanli, Soliman, malison, monials, nomials, somalin