Latin word meaning 'god', commonly encountered in phrases like 'deus ex machina'. Used in English primarily in scholarly, religious, or literary contexts.
From Latin deus meaning 'god', from Proto-Indo-European *dyews meaning 'sky' or 'day'. Related to Greek Zeus and Sanskrit deva, all sharing the concept of celestial divinity.
The phrase 'deus ex machina' literally means 'god from the machine,' referring to ancient Greek theater where actors playing gods were lowered onto stage by mechanical devices to resolve impossible plot situations. Modern critics use this term to describe any overly convenient plot resolution.
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