ENGLISH
REFERENCE

deus

n. countable
C2 Proficiency deus

n. the Latin word for a god. It is most often seen in the phrase 'deus ex machina', which describes a sudden, lucky solution to a difficult problem.

n. the Latin term for a deity or god. Primarily encountered in the literary and dramatic phrase 'deus ex machina', referring to an unexpected power or event saving a seemingly hopeless situation.


SIMPLE

The writer used a deus ex machina to end the story.

CONTEXTUAL

In ancient Greek theatre, a deus would often be lowered onto the stage by a crane to resolve the plot's conflicts.

COMPLEX

Critics often disparage the sudden arrival of the cavalry as a lazy deus ex machina that undermines the narrative tension built throughout the preceding chapters.

Usage

Almost exclusively used within the fixed Latin phrase 'deus ex machina' in English contexts.

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