supernova
/ˌsuː.pə(ɹ)ˈnəʊ.və/
supernova means A powerful and bright explosion of a massive star, which afterwards becomes a neutron star or a black hole, or is destroyed. It carries an Arena rating of 1812, earned across 15 head-to-head judged battles.
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, supernova ranks #85 of 17,124 for Most Sublime Words, #241 of 17,127 for Most Vivid Words, #330 of 42,747 for Qualifying, #623 of 17,126 for Most Elegant Words.
supernova is pronounced /ˌsuː.pə(ɹ)ˈnəʊ.və/.
Why “supernova” is a great word
A powerful and luminous stellar explosion that marks the final evolutionary stage of a massive star or the destruction of a white dwarf in a binary system. From the English prefix super- ("above, beyond") + nova ("new star"), from Latin nova (stella) ("new (star)"); coined in the early 20th century in astronomical context. Unlike a nova (a smaller surface flare that leaves the star intact) or a theorized hypernova (an even more violent collapse), a supernova is a definitive, self-consuming conclusion. It is the flash that outshines a galaxy, the shock wave that shreds a star, and the violent forge of heavy elements—the iron in your blood, the calcium in your bones, all cast into the void. It is the universe's method of spectacular, generous suicide, a reminder that creation is the final, brilliant echo of a star's death.
Etymology
From super- + nova.
noun
- A powerful and bright explosion of a massive star, which afterwards becomes a neutron star or a black hole, or is destroyed.
- Something brilliant.e.g.“Cornelius was the only one dressed in muscle but collectively they were a bully supernova.” — 2019 December, Justin Blackburn, The Bisexual Christian Suburban Failure Enlightening Bipolar Blues, page 59:
Definitions & examples from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 3.0).
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