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Oblivion

Definitions and Meaning in English

1. The state of being unaware or unconscious of what is happening around one.
2. The condition of being forgotten or overlooked.
3. Complete destruction or extinction, often used to refer to a state where something ceases to exist.
4. The state of having no memory of past events or experiences.
5. A condition in which something is completely neglected or erased from memory.

History and Origin

The word “oblivion” comes from the Latin oblivio, meaning “forgetfulness” or “the state of being forgotten,” derived from the verb oblivisci, meaning “to forget.” The term entered the English language in the 14th century, and it has been used in both literary and philosophical contexts to describe the concept of complete forgetfulness or the erasure of something from memory.

In its early usage, it referred to the idea of being forgotten or disregarded by others, but over time it expanded to include a sense of complete destruction or oblivion from existence, especially in terms of memories, things, or events.

Detailed Explanation

“Oblivion” is often used to describe a state of total forgetfulness or the condition of being completely unknown, disregarded, or erased from existence. This can apply to both individuals and things. In some contexts, oblivion suggests the loss of awareness, where someone might be unaware of their surroundings, their past, or the current events happening around them.

In a broader sense, “oblivion” also refers to the state of being forgotten or unimportant, especially in a historical or social context. It can also refer to a complete physical or mental destruction, such as when something is lost or wiped out to the point of no recovery.

Oblivion is often used metaphorically to describe situations or entities that have faded from public consciousness, leaving no trace behind. In some philosophical or literary contexts, it reflects an existential state of non-being or the void of existence.

Example Sentences

1. The ancient civilization disappeared into oblivion, leaving no trace behind.
2. His name faded into oblivion after his death, with no one remembering his contributions.
3. She hoped that her past mistakes would be forgotten and fade into oblivion.
4. The once-popular actor slipped into oblivion after his series was canceled.
5. The book was lost to oblivion, never to be read again.
6. The ruins of the old castle were left in oblivion, hidden deep in the forest.
7. He drowned in his own thoughts, slipping into a state of oblivion.
8. The project was abandoned, and its potential faded into oblivion.
9. After the scandal, her career seemed to vanish into oblivion.

Synonyms with Short Explanation

1. Forgetfulness – The state of being unable to recall or remember things, similar to oblivion.
2. Annihilation – Complete destruction or extinction, akin to the erasure of something from existence.
3. Extinction – The state of being completely wiped out, often used for species or phenomena.
4. Erasure – The act of removing or wiping something out, rendering it forgotten or gone.
5. Neglect – A state of being ignored or forgotten, leading to oblivion.

Related Words with Short Explanation

1. Memory – The mental process of recalling past events, often in contrast to oblivion.
2. Oblivious – Unaware or unconscious of something, often leading to a state of oblivion.
3. Destruction – The process of bringing something to an end, closely related to the idea of something slipping into oblivion.
4. Vanishing – The process of disappearing, which may result in oblivion.
5. Unnoticed – The state of being overlooked or ignored, which may lead to oblivion.

More Matches with Short Explanation

1. Unremembered – Something that has been forgotten, similar to fading into oblivion.
2. Void – An empty space or state, often used to describe a metaphorical version of oblivion.
3. Disintegration – The breakdown or collapse of something, often leading to oblivion.
4. Neglect – The failure to care for or remember something, which can result in oblivion.
5. Dissolution – The process of something coming to an end, often leaving it in oblivion.

Antonyms

1. Recognition
2. Awareness
3. Memory
4. Recollection
5. Existence