What does "demiurge" mean?
The (usually benevolent) being that created the universe out of primal matter.
Demiurge
/ˈdɛm.i.ɜːd͡ʒ/ name, noun
name, noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The (usually benevolent) being that created the universe out of primal matter.
- Grammar: demiurge is listed as name, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: architect of reality, architect of the cosmos, artisan god, controlling power.
- Useful contrasts: minor factor, supreme deity, true God.
- Usage evidence: Tom is building a party of adventurers to take on the Demiurge.
How to use "demiurge"
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Meaning check
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Source and review context
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Before you rely on this definition
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definitions
Noun
- 1 The (usually benevolent) being that created the universe out of primal matter.
"A demiurge or craftsman god takes pre-existing matter and fashions it in light of the eternal Forms."
- 2 a subordinate deity, in some philosophies the creator of the universe wordnet
- 3 A (usually jealous or outright malevolent) being who is inferior to the supreme being, and sometimes seen as the creator of evil.
"The Gnostic Demiurge then assumes a surprising likeness to Ahriman, the evil counter-creator of Ormuzd in Mazdean philosophy. The character of the Gnostic Demiurge became still more complicated when in some systems he was identified with Jehovah, the God of the Jews or of the Old Testament, and was brought in opposition to Christ of the New Testament, the Only-Begotten Son of the Supreme and Good God."
- 4 Something (such as an idea, individual or institution) conceived as an autonomous creative force or decisive power. figuratively
"An abiding tradition depicted the sage-kings of yore as demiurges who invented useful technologies to advance the progress of civilization. For example, Shun was acclaimed by the philosopher Mozi (circa late fifth century BCE) for teaching farming, pottery, and fishing to his subjects."
- 5 The title of a magistrate in a number of states of Ancient Greece, and in the city states (poleis) of the Achaean League. historical
"The demiurgi were next in power to the prætor, and therefore ſtiled by Polybius and Livy, the ſupreme magiſtrates of the Achæans. They were ten in number, choſen by the general aſſembly from among the moſt eminent men of the whole league for prudence, equity, and experience. It was their office to aſſiſt, with their advice, the prætor, who was to ſay nothing before the aſſembly, but what had been previouſly approved of by the major part of the demiurgi."
Proper Noun
- 1 The subordinate being that fashions the perceptible world in the light of eternal ideas.
- 2 A prideful, inferior being that creates the material world; frequently identified with the creator God of the Hebrew Bible.
"For the rest, we meet in the Demiurge of the Valentinians all the traits of the world-god with which we have by now become familiar and can therefore deal here very briefly"
Synonyms
All synonyms architect of realityarchitect of the cosmosartisan godcontrolling powercosmic craftsmancraftsman deity
Antonyms
minor factorsupreme deitytrue God
Example
"Tom is building a party of adventurers to take on the Demiurge."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "demiurge"?
Common synonyms include: architect of reality, architect of the cosmos, artisan god, controlling power, cosmic craftsman, craftsman deity.
How do you use "demiurge" in a sentence?
Tom is building a party of adventurers to take on the Demiurge.
How do you pronounce "demiurge"?
Pronounced /ˈdɛm.i.ɜːd͡ʒ/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Ancient Greek δημιουργός (dēmiourgós, “one who works for the people; a skilled workman, a handicraftsman”) (whence Latin dēmiūrgus, French démiurge), from δήμιος (dḗmios, “belonging to the people, public”) (from δῆμος (dêmos, “the people”), from Proto-Indo-European *deh₂mos (“people”), from *deh₂- (“to divide”) + Ancient Greek -ιος (-ios), from Proto-Indo-European *-yós (suffix creating an adjective from a noun)) + Ancient Greek -ουργός (-ourgós, “worker”) (from ἔργον (érgon, “labour; task; work”), from Proto-Indo-European *wérǵom (“work”)). No relation with English demi- (as in demigod).
Etymology 2
From Ancient Greek Δημιουργός (Dēmiourgós), see demiurge.