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View synonyms for deus ex machina

deus ex machina

[ dey-uhs eks mah-kuh-nuh, dee-uhs eks mak-uh-nuh ]

noun

  1. (in ancient Greek and Roman drama) a god introduced into a play to resolve the entanglements of the plot.
  2. any artificial or improbable device resolving the difficulties of a plot.


deus ex machina

/ ˈdeɪʊs ɛks ˈmækɪnə /

noun

  1. (in ancient Greek and Roman drama) a god introduced into a play to resolve the plot
  2. any unlikely or artificial device serving this purpose
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Word History and Origins

Origin of deus ex machina1

1690–1700; < New Latin literally, god from a machine (i.e., stage machinery from which a deity's statue was lowered), as translation of Greek apò mēchanês theós (Demosthenes), theòs ek mēchanês (Menander), etc.
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Word History and Origins

Origin of deus ex machina1

literally: god out of a machine, translating Greek theos ek mēkhanēs
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Example Sentences

I am not a believer in in the deus ex machina or the exterior forces coming to solve your problems.

The production, which was at the Park Avenue Armory earlier this season, has arrived at the St. James Theatre in the role of deus ex machina, rescuing Broadway from its hidebound habits.

The deus ex machina of assisted reproduction can be a blessing or a curse, depending on the god who sent the machine.

After the recitation of an ancient Roman novel falls apart, what deus ex machina could save the show?

“Perhaps the deus ex machina here is AI.”

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