A single word that describes the moment a person realizes they are dreaming?

Question

Lucid dreams is a phrase to describe the state of someone knowing that they are dreaming. What I am looking for is a single word that describes that moment of realization. A friend suggested lucidity, but its definition doesn't quite fit right for what I am seeking.

Answer 1

I would use anagnorisis, which is the moment in a Greek narrative when the protagonist has a sudden realization of their true identity.

Answer 2

The verb form of "surface" may be appropriate. It seems to capture the notion of partial emergence without complete exit.

Answer 3

I am not sure how specialized moments of realization are in English. Using words that just mean that (in varied forms):

• realization
• discovery
• awakening
• aware
• epiphany
• eureka
• click — "And then it clicked: I was dreaming!"

I am unable to think of a word that is reserved for a special subject of realization. Different terms have their typical uses but I think the emotional feeling or suddenness is more of a deciding factor.

Answer 4

I like "quicken" or "quickening."

The first moment of realization of a lucid dream is, to me, not unlike a feeling of rebirth. So, I think it would be appropriate to describe the sensation using a word which means "the first movements of a fetus."

Answer 5

Not direct answers, but they may help in your quest:

• Hypnagogia — the state between being awake & asleep (Greek for "to lead away", ref)
• Hypnopompic — the state between being asleep & awake
• Somniferous — sleep inducing

Check the Wikipedia reference, there are tons of articles on sleep that may help you find your word.

I like "awakening" but it could be misleading on its own.