Literary notes about epochal (AI summary)
In literature, “epochal” is used to denote moments of profound, transformative significance—events that not only mark the end of an era but also signal the beginning of a distinct, often revolutionary, chapter. Authors employ the term to elevate experiences ranging from the personal, as when an individual acknowledges a life-changing encounter [1, 2], to the historical, such as describing pivotal periods in national development [3, 4]. Whether portraying a groundbreaking discovery that reshapes scientific thought [5, 6] or emphasizing a moment of deep personal change [7, 8], “epochal” imbues the narrative with a sense of monumental, lasting impact that transcends the everyday.
- Going away to school was epochal in my life.
— from Margaret Sanger: an autobiography. by Margaret Sanger - The day Don Hale arrived was an epochal one in his life.
— from Don Hale with the Flying Squadron by W. Crispin (William Crispin) Sheppard - The year 1806 was epochal in German history.
— from A Political and Social History of Modern Europe V.1. by Carlton J. H. (Carlton Joseph Huntley) Hayes - In Africa the epochal conflict between Boer and Briton was developing inexorably, and France was about to achieve the conquest of Madagascar.
— from The History of Cuba, vol. 4 by Willis Fletcher Johnson - On the epochal Theory of Relativity have arisen the mathematical possibilities of exploring the ultimate atom.
— from Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda - Bell's discovery was epochal; but its full significance was not appreciated for a decade, nor, indeed, was its validity at first admitted.
— from A History of Science — Volume 4 by Edward Huntington Williams - I hesitated for a moment, as though there was something epochal in the air, as though I was making a step which might mean a great deal to me.
— from The Prairie Child by Arthur Stringer - He did not dream that he was doing something epochal.
— from Heart's Desire The Story of a Contented Town, Certain Peculiar Citizens, and Two Fortunate Lovers A Novel by Emerson Hough
