deva

American  

[dey-vuh] / ˈdeɪ və /

noun

1. Hinduism, Buddhism. a god or divinity.

2. Zoroastrianism. one of an order of evil spirits.

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deva British  

/ ˈdeɪvə /

noun

1. (in Hinduism and Buddhism) a divine being or god

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Etymology

Origin of deva

From Sanskrit

Example Sentences

In Buddhism, matchmaking parents—sponsors—of a prospective couple are encouraged to consult an astrologist and, if unsuccessful, are urged to query an inner-world deva.

From The New Yorker • Mar. 4, 2019

At a distance of thirty paces from the tree, a deva gave him the grass of lucky omen, which he received and went on.

From Chinese Literature Comprising the Analects of Confucius, the Sayings of Mencius, the Shi-King, the Travels of Fâ-Hien, and the Sorrows of Han by Davis, John Francis, Sir

Ahura becomes the god par excellence, the supreme god; while "deva," the title which in India remained in honour, is in the Avesta that of evil gods who are not to be worshipped.

From History of Religion A Sketch of Primitive Religious Beliefs and Practices, and of the Origin and Character of the Great Systems by Menzies, Allan

It is the popular idea of heaven that has given rise to the common euphemism for to die, namely, to become a deva or inhabitant of heaven.

From New Ideas in India During the Nineteenth Century A Study of Social, Political, and Religious Developments by Morrison, John

Let us take one of the oldest words for god in the Veda, such as deva, the Latin deus.

From India: What can it teach us? A Course of Lectures Delivered before the University Of Cambridge by Wilder, Alexander