Definitions
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun A
detailed imaginary world , especially one created by achild .
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun a prolonged fantasy world invented by children; can have a definite geography and language and history
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
From Ancient Greek παρά (para, "beside, alongside") + κόσμος (kosmos, "world, universe").
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Examples
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A Michigan State University study of MacArthur "genius award" winners found a remarkably high rate of paracosm creation in their childhoods.
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One in 10 invent fantasy worlds, or “paracosms”.
Daydreaming has a dark side – is your fantasising holding you back? #author.fullName} 2024
john commented on the word paracosm
"A paracosm is a society thought up by a child--an invented universe with a distinctive language, geography, and history. (The Brontës invented a couple of paracosms when they were children.)"
"Bumping into Mr. Ravioli", from Through the Children's Gate by Adam Gopnik, page 158.
July 30, 2008
yarb commented on the word paracosm
There’s a secret world where you try and hide,
You want to live but you’re dead inside,
Now you’re trying to make your paracosms true.
- Puressence, She's Gotten Over You
July 30, 2008
mtc commented on the word paracosm
Here's a link to an article about the imaginary worlds (paracosms) created by highly gifted children, e.g., the Bronte sisters: http://www.psychologytoday.com/files/attachments/1035/imaginary-worldplay-indicator-creative-giftedness.pdf
May 9, 2013