Xeno

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Xeno

n.
the smallest measurable unit of human connection, typically exchanged between passing strangers—a warm smile, a sympathetic nod, a shared laugh about some odd coincidence—moments that are fleeting and random but still contain powerful emotional nutrients that can alleviate the symptoms of feeling alone.

Ancient Greek ξένος (xénos), alien, stranger. Pronounced “zee-noh.”

Ludiosis

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Siso

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Heartmoor

a campfire with a kettle many small logs

Poggled

a person studying a book with a magnifying glass

Fygophobia

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Mimeomia

a person wearing an animal onesie garment

Nyctous

a person walking in the middle of a street

Anthrodynia

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Anechosis

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Routwash

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Hemeisis

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Anaphasia

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Kenaway

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Pax Latrina

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Ledsome

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Holiette

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Tillid

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Mal De Coucou

a blurry image of several men

Wollah

a person with shapes raining on them

Starlorn

snow flakes in the dark

Rookish

a stone tower with a person seated on top

Eftless

a person with hands pressed on a window

Anderance

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Leidenfreude

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

Appriesse

a blurry image of a person looking at mounted images

Present-Tense

a close-up of a stopwatch

Aimonomia

close-up of a plant with lights glowing in background