Verwunderlichen

Verwunderlichen is a German term that can function as a nominalized plural form of the adjective verwunderlich, meaning astonishing, remarkable, or strange. In standard usage, verwunderlich describes something that provokes surprise or wonder. When used as a noun, Verwunderlichen typically means “the wondrous ones” or “the marvels” and appears primarily in literary or poetic contexts. The form is capitalized because it is used as a noun, and its inflected forms follow regular German noun declension: die Verwunderlichen (nominative or accusative), der Verwunderlichen (genitive), den Verwunderlichen (dative).

Usage and nuances: Verwunderlichen is uncommon in everyday speech and writing. It is more likely to be found in poetry, fantasy prose, or stylistic prose that personifies or groups together phenomena or beings characterized by wonder. Its tone is often imaginative, sometimes nostalgic, and it can convey a sense of otherworldliness or awe.

Etymology: The word derives from the adjective verwunderlich, formed from the verb wundern (to wonder) with the prefix ver-, and the suffix -lich, which yields meanings like “characterized by” or “having the quality of.” The noun form Verwunderlichen thus foregrounds the qualities described by the base adjective, treating them as a collective.

Relation to related terms: Verwunderlich is a common adjective used to describe things that are surprising or odd. Verwunderlichen, when used as a noun, extends this sense to refer to a group or class of wondrous things or beings. It is not tied to a specific proper name or widely recognized concept and is generally a stylistic or literary device.