deva
|de-va|
/ˈdeɪvə/
shining/divine being
Etymology
'deva' originates from Sanskrit, specifically the word 'deva', where the root meant 'celestial, shining' and is ultimately related to the Proto-Indo-European root '*deywós' meaning 'celestial, god'.
'deva' is cognate with Latin 'deus' and Greek 'Zeus' from PIE '*deywós'; the term entered English in modern times through Sanskrit scholarship and colonial contact, retaining the form 'deva'.
Initially it meant 'celestial, shining one' in Sanskrit; over time in English usage it came to denote 'a god' or 'heavenly divine being' in the religious contexts of Hinduism, Buddhism, and related traditions.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a god or deity in Hinduism; a divine being worshipped or honored as possessing supernatural powers.
In many Hindu texts, a deva is associated with a particular natural force or moral quality.
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Noun 2
a celestial or heavenly being in Buddhism and other Indian religions, occupying one of the heavenly realms.
In Buddhist cosmology, a deva occupies one of the heavenly realms but is still subject to rebirth.
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Last updated: 2025/12/13 03:58