- phenomenon
- 1576, "fact, occurrence," from L.L. phænomenon, from Gk. phainomenon "that which appears or is seen," noun use of neut. prp. of phainesthai "to appear," passive of phainein (see phantasm). Meaning "extraordinary occurrence" first recorded 1771. Plural is phenomena. Phenomenal "of the nature of a phenomenon" is a hybrid coined 1825 by Coleridge, with suffix from L. -alis; meaning "extraordinary" is first attested 1850. Shortened form phenom is baseball slang, first recorded 1890.