Deus ex Machina

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German

Alternative forms

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin deus ex māchinā.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈdeːʊs ɛks ˈmaxina/, /ˈdeːʊs ɛks ˈmakina/
  • Audio:(file)

Noun

Deus ex Machina m (strong, genitive Deus ex Machina, plural (uncommon) Dei ex Machina)

  1. (higher register) deus ex machina
    • 2020 December 11, Rudolf Balmer, “Corona in Frankreich: Stubenarrest zu Silvester”, in Die Tageszeitung: taz, →ISSN:
      Je nachdem, wie die Reaktionen ausfallen oder falls sich die Statistik der Epidemie rapide bessern sollte, könnte der Staatspräsident jedoch wie ein Deus ex machina den heute verärgerten Bürger:innen mit einer frohen Botschaft aufwarten und ihnen doch noch grünes Licht für ein fröhliches Zusammensein [] zum Jahreswechsel geben.
      (please add an English translation of this quotation)

Usage notes

  • The spelling Deus ex Machina has been the prescribed spelling since the German spelling reform of 1996 (the Rechtschreibreform). In the affected areas, the previous spelling (Deus ex machina) is now less common, and may be regarded as a misspelling.

Declension

Further reading