nodus

American  

[noh-duhs] / ˈnoʊ dəs /

noun

• nodi
  plural

1. a difficult or intricate point, situation, plot, etc.

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nodus British  

/ ˈnəʊdəs /

noun

1. a problematic idea, situation, etc

2. another word for node

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• nodi
  plural

Etymology

Origin of nodus

1350–1400; Middle English: knot in the flesh < Latin nōdus knot

Explanation

A nodus is a knotty problem or a difficult situation to resolve. The nodus of something is where different things or aspects intersect, making things complicated. In drama, the nodus is the point in a plot where the various threads of a story become entangled, leading up to the climax, after which the denouement, or "untying" of the entanglement, occurs. The famous Latin phrase dignus vindice nodus means "a knot worthy of a deliverer" — meaning a plot complication so difficult and complex that only a "god from the machine" (deus ex machina) could solve it. Historically, the word nodus has been used in fields including botany, medicine, and astronomy, to describe points where different things converge.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

nodus nodi

Self-consciousness, which was, even with Kant, the nodus or kernel whence the categories sprang, was nothing but a logical centre,—the reality was concealed.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 5 "Cat" to "Celt" by Various

Under all roofs of this distracted City is the nodus of a Drama, not untragical, crowding toward solution.

From Library of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern, Vol. VIII by Various

Why? was it not a dignus vindice nodus? or were you confident in your own unaided discrimination?

From Works of Lucian of Samosata — Volume 02 by F. G. (Francis George) Fowler

With Ormsby at the nodus of his point of view, David Kent made no secret of his open rivalry of the millionaire, declaring his intention boldly and taking no shame therefor.

From The Grafters by Francis Lynde

He will not have recourse to the devil for the solution of a nodus, till he has exhausted more legitimate sources of assistance.

From Notes and Queries, Number 181, April 16, 1853 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc. by George Bell

Olindo, tied to the stake amidst the flames of martyrdom, can say to his mistress "Altre fiamme, altri nodi amor promise."

From Stories from the Italian Poets: with Lives of the Writers, Volume 2 by Torquato Tasso