Xeno

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

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.”

The Standard Blues

Cover image for the The Standard Blues word card on the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows

Deep Gut

Cover image for the Deep Gut word card on the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows

Heartmoor

a campfire with a kettle many small logs

O’Erpine

a person looking at a grave

Ringlorn

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

Ecury

a close-up of cave drawings and symbols

Lap Year

several people racing bicycles uphill in a forest

Rasque

close-up of the shards of a broken vase

Ludiosis

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

1202

Cover image for the 1202 word card on the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows

Epistrix

several doors standing in a dark room

Redesis

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