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empyrean

   Also found in: Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.04 sec.
em·py·re·an  (mp-rn, m-pîr-n)
n.
1.
a. The highest reaches of heaven, believed by the ancients to be a realm of pure fire or light.
b. The abode of God and the angels; paradise.
2. The sky.
adj.
Of or relating to the empyrean of ancient belief.

[From Medieval Latin empyreum, from empyreus, empyreal; see empyreal.]

empyrean [em-pie-ree-an]
Noun
Poetic the sky or the heavens [Greek empuros fiery]
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.empyreanempyrean - the apparent surface of the imaginary sphere on which celestial bodies appear to be projected
apex of the sun's way, solar apex, apex - the point on the celestial sphere toward which the sun and solar system appear to be moving relative to the fixed stars
celestial point - a point in the heavens (on the celestial sphere)
nadir - the point below the observer that is directly opposite the zenith on the imaginary sphere against which celestial bodies appear to be projected
surface - the extended two-dimensional outer boundary of a three-dimensional object; "they skimmed over the surface of the water"; "a brush small enough to clean every dental surface"; "the sun has no distinct surface"
zenith - the point above the observer that is directly opposite the nadir on the imaginary sphere against which celestial bodies appear to be projected
zodiac - a belt-shaped region in the heavens on either side to the ecliptic; divided into 12 constellations or signs for astrological purposes
Adj.1.empyrean - of or relating to the sky or heavens; "the empyrean sphere"
2.empyrean - inspiring awe; "well-meaning ineptitude that rises to empyreal absurdity"- M.S.Dworkin; "empyrean aplomb"- Hamilton Basso; "the sublime beauty of the night"
glorious - having or deserving or conferring glory; "a long and glorious career"; "our glorious literature"

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Away - away - 'mid seas of rays that roll Empyrean splendor o'er th' unchained soul - The soul that scarce (the billows are so dense) Can struggle to its destin'd eminence - To distant spheres, from time to time, she rode, And late to ours, the favour'd one of God - But, now, the ruler of an anchor'd realm, She throws aside the sceptre - leaves the helm, And, amid incense and high spiritual hymns, Laves in quadruple light her angel limbs.
His thoughts floated then serenely in the empyrean, and he felt towards her the horror that perhaps the painted butterfly, hovering about the flowers, feels to the filthy chrysalis from which it has triumphantly emerged.
He acted as though he were a machine driven by the two forces of his environment and his personality; his reason was someone looking on, observing the facts but powerless to interfere: it was like those gods of Epicurus, who saw the doings of men from their empyrean heights and had no might to alter one smallest particle of what occurred.
 
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