The word "shining" consists of two syllables: "shin" and "ing". The first syllable is pronounced as /ʃaɪn/, with the "sh" sound followed by the diphthong "ai" and the "n" sound. The second syllable is pronounced as /ɪŋ/, with the "i" sound followed by the nasal "ng" sound. The spelling of "shining" accurately reflects how the word is pronounced, making it important to understand phonetic transcription when learning English pronunciation.
Shining is an adjective that describes something that emits or reflects a bright light or radiance. It refers to the act or state of shining. When something is considered shining, it means that it is glowing, gleaming, or radiant.
It can be used to describe both literal and figurative aspects. Literally, shining is often used to depict objects or surfaces that have a polished, glossy, or lustrous appearance. This can include shining metals, like gold or silver, or polished gemstones that reflect light brilliantly. Additionally, shining can also describe the sun, moon, stars, or other celestial bodies that emit a radiant glow in the night sky.
Figuratively, shining can be used to describe someone's demeanor or personality, indicating that they possess a radiant or brilliant quality. It may be used to portray individuals who exude confidence, positivity, or talent, capturing attention and admiration. For example, a shining performer is an artist or musician who displays remarkable skill and brilliance in their craft.
Overall, shining refers to that which emits brightness, whether literally or figuratively, and conveys an impression of radiance, brilliance, or excellence. Its versatility allows it to describe anything from physical appearances to various qualities or characteristics displayed by individuals or objects.
• Bright; splendid; distinguished; in bot., applied to a smooth and polished surface.
• Clearness of light; brightness.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "shining" originates from the Middle English term "shinen", which is derived from the Old English word "scīnan". The Old English word "scīnan" is related to the Old High German word "sīnan" and the Gothic word "seinei", all of which mean "to shine". These words ultimately have their roots in the Proto-Germanic word "seinan", meaning "to shine" or "to glimmer". The word's etymology can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root "*k̑óyḱos", which means "bright" or "white".