Ameneurosis

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Ameneurosis

n.
the half-forlorn, half-escapist ache of a train whistle howling in the distance at night.

From amen, “so be it” + neurosis, an anxious state + amanuensis, an assistant who helps transcribe newly composed music. A train whistle is the sound of air being forced across a gap, which serves as a poignant reminder of all the gaps in your life. Pronounced “ah-men-nyoo-roh-sis.”

Spinning Playback Head

silhouette of a person looking out a window

Volander

Cover image for the Volander word card on the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows

Mimeomia

a person wearing an animal onesie garment

Archimony

a person looking at broken furniture

Merrenness

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Dolonia

Cover image for the Dolonia word card on the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows