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empyrean (em-puh-REE-uhn, em-PIR-ee-uhn, em-PAY-ree-uhn) - n., in ancient cosmologies, the highest sphere of the heavens, believed to be occupied by the pure element of fire, light, or the aether; the heavens in general, the sky. adj., of the sky or the heavens; celestially refined.
The adjective has an alternate form, empyreal. The specific sphere is often referred to as the Empyrean, and in Dante's cosmology, it's the dwelling place of God, the host of angels, and the saints. Arrived in English around 1600 from Medieval Latin empyreum, from earlier empyreus, from Late Latin empyrius, fiery, from Ancient Greek empurios, from en-, in + pūr, fire (from whence also pyre).
---L.
The adjective has an alternate form, empyreal. The specific sphere is often referred to as the Empyrean, and in Dante's cosmology, it's the dwelling place of God, the host of angels, and the saints. Arrived in English around 1600 from Medieval Latin empyreum, from earlier empyreus, from Late Latin empyrius, fiery, from Ancient Greek empurios, from en-, in + pūr, fire (from whence also pyre).
---L.
