Dictionary.com

numen

[ noo-min, nyoo- ]
/ ˈnu mɪn, ˈnyu- /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for numen on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural nu·mi·na [noo-muh-nuh, nyoo-]. /ˈnu mə nə, ˈnyu-/.

divine power or spirit; a deity, especially one presiding locally or believed to inhabit a particular object.

QUIZZES

THINK YOU’VE GOT A HANDLE ON THIS US STATE NICKNAME QUIZ?

Did you ever collect all those state quarters? Put them to good use on this quiz about curious state monikers and the facts around them.
Question 1 of 8
Mississippi’s nickname comes from the magnificent trees that grow there. What is it?
The Sunflower State
The Evergreen State
The Magnolia State
The Mockingbird State
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of numen

1620–30; <Latin nūmen a nod, command, divine will or power, divinity; akin to nūtāre to nod the head in commanding or assent

Words nearby numen

numbfish, numbing, numbles, numbskull, numdah, numen, numerable, numeracy, numeraire, numeral, numeral system
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Words related to numen

accomplishment, endowment, ability, acquirement, bent, attribute, set, capacity, genius, propensity, head, power, specialty, attainment, faculty, instinct, forte, knack, aptness, capability

Example sentences from the Web for numen

British Dictionary definitions for numen

numen
/ (ˈnjuːmɛn) /

noun plural -mina (-mɪnə)

(esp in ancient Roman religion) a deity or spirit presiding over a thing or place
a guiding principle, force, or spirit

Word Origin for numen

C17: from Latin: a nod (indicating a command), divine power; compare nuere to nod
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
Tired of Typos? Get Help Now!