[epiph.a.ny] n, pl -nies [ME epiphanie, fr. MF, fr. LL epiphania, fr. LGk, pl., prob. alter. of Gk epiphaneia appearance, manifestation, fr. epiphainein to manifest, fr. epi- + phainein to show--more at fancy] (14c) 1 cap: January
6. observed as a church festival in commemoration of the coming of the Magi as the first manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles or in the Eastern Church in commemoration of the baptism of Christ
2: an appearance or manifestation esp. of a divine being 3 a (1): a usu. sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something (2): an intuitive grasp of reality through something (as an event) usu. simple and striking (3): an illuminating discovery b: a revealing scene or moment