deus ex machina
Originating from ancient Greek theater, "deus ex machina" translates to "god from the machine" and refers to a plot device used to resolve complex situations through unexpected interventions.
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Definition
C1Literature
(general)An unexpected event or character introduced to resolve a seemingly unsolvable problem in a story.
Example
- The sudden arrival of a wealthy benefactor at the end of the novel was a classic deus ex machina.
C2Theater
(historical)In ancient Greek and Roman drama, a god brought onto the stage by machinery to resolve the plot.
Example
- The playwright used a deus ex machina to bring Zeus onto the stage and resolve the characters' conflicts.