demiurge

[ dem-ee-urj ]

/ ˈdɛm iˌɜrdʒ /

Save This Word!

noun

Philosophy.

Platonism. the artificer of the world.
(in the Gnostic and certain other belief systems) a supernatural being imagined as creating or fashioning the world in subordination to the Supreme Being, and sometimes regarded as the originator of evil.

(in many states of ancient Greece) a public official or magistrate.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of demiurge

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Greek dēmiourgós “a worker for the people, public worker, skilled worker,” equivalent to dḗmio(s) “of the people, public” + -ergos “a worker,” derivative of érgon work

OTHER WORDS FROM demiurge

dem·i·ur·geous

[dem-ee-ur-juhs], /ˌdɛm iˈɜr dʒəs/, dem·i·ur·gic, dem·i·ur·gi·cal, adjectivedem·i·ur·gi·cal·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use demiurge in a sentence

Such a man is demiurgic, for he puts down a hand on action through the sky.
The Atlantic Monthly, Vol. 13, No. 76, February, 1864|Various
Far beyond all other political powers of Christianity is the demiurgic power of this religion over the kingdoms of human opinion.
Pearls of Thought|Maturin M. Ballou
Besides, what necessity was there for the mother of the demiurgic creator to have formed him of matter and of an image?
Plotinos: Complete Works, v. 2|Plotinos (Plotinus)
How could this newly formed image (the demiurgic creator) have undertaken to create by memory of the things he knew?
Plotinos: Complete Works, v. 2|Plotinos (Plotinus)

Applying this conception to the universe, we rise to Intelligence, recognizing therein the demiurgic creator of the world.
Plotinos: Complete Works, v. 1|Plotinos (Plotinus)

British Dictionary definitions for demiurge

demiurge

/ (ˈdɛmɪˌɜːdʒ, ˈdiː-) /

noun

(in the philosophy of Plato) the creator of the universe
(in Gnostic and some other philosophies) the creator of the universe, supernatural but subordinate to the Supreme Being

(in ancient Greece) a magistrate with varying powers found in any of several states

Derived forms of demiurge

demiurgeous, demiurgic or demiurgical, adjectivedemiurgically, adverb

Word Origin for demiurge

C17: from Church Latin dēmiūrgus, from Greek dēmiourgos skilled workman, literally: one who works for the people, from dēmos people + ergon work

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