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numinous - 3 dictionary results

nu⋅mi⋅nous

  [noo-muh-nuhs, nyoo-]
Use numinous in a Sentence
–adjective
1. of, pertaining to, or like a numen; spiritual or supernatural.
2. surpassing comprehension or understanding; mysterious: that element in artistic expression that remains numinous.
3. arousing one's elevated feelings of duty, honor, loyalty, etc.: a benevolent and numinous paternity.
Origin:
1640–50; < L nūmin- (s. of nūmen) numen + -ous
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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nu·mi·nous   (nōō'mə-nəs, nyōō'-)   
adj.  
  1. Of or relating to a numen; supernatural.
  2. Filled with or characterized by a sense of a supernatural presence: a numinous place.
  3. Spiritually elevated; sublime.

[From Latin nūmen, nūmin-, numen.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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numinous 
"divine, spiritual," 1647, from L. numen (gen. numinis) "divine will," properly "divine approval expressed by nodding the head," from nuere "to nod" (cf. Gk. neuein "to nod").
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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