deus ex machina
de·us ex ma·chi·na
noun\ˈdā-əs-ˌeks-ˈmä-ki-nə, -ˈma-, -ˌnä; -mə-ˈshē-nə\
Definition of DEUS EX MACHINA
1
: a god introduced by means of a crane in ancient Greek and Roman drama to decide the final outcome
2
: a person or thing (as in fiction or drama) that appears or is introduced suddenly and unexpectedly and provides a contrived solution to an apparently insoluble difficulty
See Origin of DEUS EX MACHINA
New Latin, a god from a machine, translation of Greek theos ek mēchanēs
First Known Use: 1697
Learn More About DEUS EX MACHINA
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: Deut
Previous Word in the Dictionary: deuk
All Words Near: deus ex machina
Previous Word in the Dictionary: deuk
All Words Near: deus ex machina
Seen & Heard 
What made you want to look up deus ex machina? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
