Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

angels dancing on the head of a pin

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 3.85 in modern English

Syllables
an-gel-s -danc-ing on the -head- of a pin
IPA
45
Scrabble Score
28
Letters
7
Syllables
14
Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

The subject of arcane intellectual speculation—used as an example of a subject of enquiry in which the pursuit is of no value.

Example Sentences

Etymology

An allusion to the theological question, How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?—a question cited to debunk mediaeval angelology in particular, and scholasticism in general. The point is that explorative discussions that the discussants consider important can be academic in both senses of that word—not only arcane, but also irrelevant.

Phrases

angels-dancing-on-the-head-of-a-pin count angels on pinheads

Frequently Paired Words

angels-dancing-on-the-head-of-a-pin count angels on pinheads

Questions

What does angels dancing on the head of a pin mean?
The subject of arcane intellectual speculation—used as an example of a subject of enquiry in which the pursuit is of no value.
Where does angels dancing on the head of a pin come from?
An allusion to the theological question, How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?—a question cited to debunk mediaeval angelology in particular, and scholasticism in general. The point is that explorative discussions that the discussants consider important can be academic in both senses of that word—not only arcane, but also irrelevant.

How to pronounce angels dancing on the head of a pin

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