From Latin aprīcitās, a quality noun from aprīcus, meaning warmed by the sun. English evidence begins with Henry Cockeram's 1623 dictionary, where the word names winter sun warmth.
From Latin aprīcitās, a quality noun from aprīcus, meaning warmed by the sun. English evidence begins with Henry Cockeram's 1623 dictionary, where the word names winter sun warmth.
What does apricity mean?
Apricity means the warmth, and sometimes the light, of the sun in winter or cold weather.
Is apricity common?
No. Apricity is rare and literary, so it usually sounds deliberate rather than conversational.
How is apricity pronounced?
Apricity is pronounced /əˈprɪsɪti/, with the stress on the second syllable.
Is apricity only for winter?
The traditional definition points to winter sun, though modern use often broadens it slightly to cold-weather sunlight.
Can apricity mean warmth from a fire?
No. Apricity is warmth from sunlight, not heat from a fire, radiator, blanket, or drink.
Is apricity related to apricot?
No. The similar sound is accidental, and apricity comes from Latin words connected with sun warmth.
Can apricity be plural?
It is normally uncountable. Phrases like moments of apricity sound more natural than apricities.
What is the origin of apricity?
It comes from Latin aprīcitās and is recorded in English from Henry Cockeram's 1623 dictionary.
What words are close to apricity?
Close expressions include sun-warmth, winter sunshine, and sunshine warmth, though none is as compact.
When is apricity appropriate?
It fits poems, essays, nature writing, and reflective prose about the felt warmth of sun in cold weather.