numen
|nu-men|
🇺🇸
/ˈnuːmən/
🇬🇧
/ˈnjuːmən/
divine presence/manifestation
Etymology
'numen' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'numen', where the root comes from the verb 'nuo' meaning 'to nod' (a sign of assent).
'numen' passed from Classical Latin into Medieval Latin with senses of a 'nod' and then a 'divine will' and was adopted into English (from scholarly and antiquarian Latin usage) in the 17th century.
Initially, it meant 'a nod' or gesture of assent (the figurative 'nod' of a god). Over time it evolved to mean 'divine presence' or 'the will/power of a deity' in modern English usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a divine presence, spirit, or power believed to inhabit a place, object, or institution; a godlike or sacred force.
Many travelers reported feeling a numen in the ancient temple.
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Noun 2
the divine will or power manifesting itself; an expression of a deity's authority or influence.
The ritual aimed to placate the numen believed to govern the land's fertility.
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Noun 3
(figurative) An inspiring, guiding, or animating spirit; a mysterious or charismatic force that influences people or events.
Artists often spoke of a numen that guided their creativity.
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Last updated: 2025/12/02 16:15