The Term «Engolfada» in Teresa of Avila: A Maritime Neologism in Mystic Literature

The term engolfada in Teresian texts is employed as a nautical metaphor, expanding upon a neologism developed within mystical literature. This article pursues three main objectives: (1) to analyze its semantic and grammatical value from a diachronic perspective; (2) to examine its linguistic usage in Teresian writings; and (3) to shed light on the nuances it brings to Teresa’s notion of contemplative prayer, moving beyond the linguistic dimension to explore its theological implications. The article concludes by emphasizing that, through this neologism, Teresa of Avila opens up a new linguistic horizon for describing the experience of contemplative prayer.