Definitions for deus ex machina
ˈdeɪ əs ɛks ˈmɑ kə nə, ˈdi əs ɛks ˈmæk ə nədeus ex machi·na

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:1.0 / 1 vote

1. deus ex machinanoun

   any active agent who appears unexpectedly to solve an insoluble difficulty

WiktionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. deus ex machinanoun

   Any resolution to a story that does not pay due regard to the story's internal logic and that is so unlikely that it challenges suspension of disbelief, and presumably allows the author, director, or developer to end the story in the way that he or she desired

2. deus ex machinanoun

   A contrived solution to a problem, relying on an agent external to the situation.

3. Etymology: From deus ex machina, from deus + ex + machina > calque from Ancient Greek ἀπὸ μηχανῆς θεός

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Deus ex machina

   Deus ex machina ( DAY-əs ex-MA(H)K-in-ə, Latin: [ˈdɛ.ʊs ɛks ˈmaːkʰɪnaː]; plural: dei ex machina; English "god out of the machine") is a plot device whereby a seemingly unsolvable problem in a story is suddenly and abruptly resolved by an unexpected and unlikely occurrence. Its function is generally to resolve an otherwise irresolvable plot situation, to surprise the audience, to bring the tale to a happy ending, or act as a comedic device.

WikidataRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Deus ex machina

   A deus ex machina is a plot device whereby a seemingly unsolvable problem is suddenly and abruptly resolved, with the contrived and unexpected intervention of some new event, character, ability, or object. Depending on how it is done, it can be intended to move the story forward when the writer has "painted himself into a corner" and sees no other way out, to surprise the audience, to bring a happy ending into the tale, or as a comedic device.

The Nuttall EncyclopediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Deus ex machina

   the introduction in high matters of a merely external, material, or mechanical explanation instead of an internal, rational, or spiritual one, which is all a theologian does when he simply names God, and all a scientist does when he simply says Evolution (q. v.).

Matched Categories

1. • Causal Agent

How to pronounce deus ex machina?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say deus ex machina in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of deus ex machina in Chaldean Numerology is: 3

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of deus ex machina in Pythagorean Numerology is: 1

Examples of deus ex machina in a Sentence

1. Menander:

   Deus ex machina A god from the machine

2. Menander, The Woman Possessed with a Divinity:

   Deus ex machina [A god from the machine]

3. Waiter Rant, Waiter Rant weblog, 09-09-05:

   We want God to come and save us. But he won't. God doesn't stop levees from failing, he doesn't stay the force of tsunamis, and he doesn't stop planes from smashing into buildings. Deus Ex Machina is overrated.

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=deus ex machina
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Deus_Ex_Machina
3. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deus_Ex_Machina
4. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=deus ex machina
5. ^ The Nuttall Encyclopedia
   https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/12342/pg12342-images.html#DeusExMachina