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.”

Dead Reckoning

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Etherness

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Anthrodynia

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Nilous

a person standing at a bus terminal

Hanker Sore

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Wildred

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Rialtoscuro

a blurry image of a light source

Bareleveling

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Flichtish

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Plata Rasa

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Anderance

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

The Unsharp Mask

a mirror with a reflection of a person