numinous

numinous
numinous (adj.) "divine, spiritual," 1640s, from L. numen (gen. numinis) "divine will," properly "divine approval expressed by nodding the head," from nuere "to nod," from PIE *neu- "to nod" (Cf. Gk. neuein "to nod") + -OUS (Cf. -ous).

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • Numinous — (pronounced /ˈnjuːmɨnəs/) is an English adjective describing the power or presence of a divinity. The word was popularised in the early twentieth century by the German theologian Rudolf Otto in his influential book Das Heilige (1917; translated… …   Wikipedia

  • numinous — uminous adj. 1. Evincing the presence of a deity; as, a numinous wood; the most numinous moment in the Mass. [WordNet 1.5] 2. same as {supernatural}. [WordNet 1.5] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • numinous — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ having a strong religious or spiritual quality. ORIGIN from Latin numen (see NUMEN(Cf. ↑N)) …   English terms dictionary

  • numinous — [no͞o′mə nəs, nyo͞o′mə nəs] adj. [< L numen (gen. numinis), a deity (see NUMEN) + OUS] 1. of or characteristic of a numen; supernatural; divine 2. having a deeply spiritual or mystical effect …   English World dictionary

  • numinous — /nooh meuh neuhs, nyooh /, adj. 1. of, pertaining to, or like a numen; spiritual or supernatural. 2. surpassing comprehension or understanding; mysterious: that element in artistic expression that remains numinous. 3. arousing one s elevated… …   Universalium

  • numinous — [[t]nju͟ːmɪnəs, AM nu͟ːm [/t]] ADJ GRADED Things that are numinous seem holy or spiritual and mysterious. [LITERARY] This garment was beautifully numinous after being touched and blessed by so many loving hands …   English dictionary

  • numinous — adjective /ˈnjuːmɪnəs,ˈnuːmɪnəs,ˈnjuːmɪnəs/ a) Related to a numen; indicating the presence of a divinity All quests are concerned with a numinous object, e.g. the Holy Grail b) Awe inspiring; evoking a sense of the transcendent, mystical or… …   Wiktionary

  • numinous —    Also known as numen praesens. Both terms were introduced in or shortly before 1917 by the German theologist Rudolf Otto (1869 1937) to denote the * sensed presence of a sacred or daemonic entity.    References    Cheyne, J.A. (2001). The… …   Dictionary of Hallucinations

  • numinous — adjective Etymology: Latin numin , numen numen Date: 1647 1. supernatural, mysterious 2. filled with a sense of the presence of divinity ; holy 3. appealing to the higher emotions or to the aesthetic sense ; spiritual • numinousness noun …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • numinous — Synonyms and related words: Greek to one, all knowing, all powerful, all seeing, all wise, almighty, ambiguous, arcane, awe inspiring, awesome, awful, awing, beyond understanding, bizarre, boundless, bright, brilliant, cabalistic, cantrip,… …   Moby Thesaurus

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