A 'beholder' is a person, creature, or entity that observes something, especially with a keen or critical eye. It implies an active engagement with the object of observation, not just a passive sighting. The term often carries connotations of judgment, appreciation, scrutiny, or even power, depending on the context. The beheld can range from art, beauty, and nature, to social issues, and the inner workings of other beings. The 'beholder' is an active interpreter and meaning-maker, their perspective shaping their understanding of what is seen. This role can be applied to an individual, a group, or even an abstract concept like society or history acting as the observer. The implication is that the 'beholder' affects as well as perceives reality. Beholders are also the subject of stories about a fantastical creature with many eyes that use their gaze to manipulate the things it looks upon.
Beholder meaning with examples
- As a seasoned art critic, she considered herself a discerning beholder of artistic merit, always seeking nuanced meaning in each piece. Her reviews held sway within the art community. The latest collection, a series of abstract sculptures, left her intrigued, though her final judgment on its value required deeper reflection on its underlying philosophy and execution.
- The wise old owl, perched atop the ancient oak, served as an impartial beholder of the forest’s daily drama. Observing the interplay of predators and prey, the changing seasons, and the subtle shifts in the environment, the owl silently absorbed its domain's secrets, understanding its balance and how it all flowed together.
- In a world grappling with social injustice, the individual citizen becomes a beholder, challenged to observe inequalities with a critical eye. Each decision and every action either accepts or challenges those inequalities, and the collective gaze directs the path toward either equity or disparity for all who have a voice.
- The film's director cast the audience as the ultimate beholder, inviting viewers to interpret its ambiguous narrative and decide its ultimate message. The power shifted from creator to spectator, where everyone was able to formulate their own opinion based on a diverse range of opinions that filled the screen.
- The telescope positioned a thousand feet from the ground, was a distant beholder of distant galaxies, and its images revealed wonders previously hidden from human eyes. The scientific community then debated the implications of the data the telescopes have acquired, and its use for all future discoveries.
Beholder Crossword Answers
4 Letters
EYER
6 Letters
VIEWER
7 Letters
WITNESS
8 Letters
OBSERVER ONLOOKER
9 Letters
PERCEIVER SPECTATOR
10 Letters
PERCIPIENT