Talk:numen

Why is "god" and not "god/goddess" part of the definition? Especially when referring to "local" divinities, I would think "goddess" would be appropriate to include. I don't think this is a gender-specific term. BabeMN 22:55, 31 October 2011 (UTC)

I would like to see an etymology. Is this a gendered term in the original language? Equinox ◑ 22:56, 31 October 2011 (UTC)

(This comment was sent to me by e-mail by BabeMN:) As a follow-up to your request for the etymology of numen: As the declension chart on the page shows, numen is neuter in gender. Regardless, this is an English language dictionary, and with our language not being gendered in this way, I'm not sure why it's a concern. My issue is in the descriptor of divinity, and today's common perception of it as (exclusively) male. Neither the ancient Romans nor Greeks viewed divinity in this way, each worshiping goddesses too numerous to list. So in addition to there being no indication of gender in the original term, I would argue its original usage could have been applied to either male or female deities. I would rather have included this in typical posting fashion, but I did not see how to do this. As a new contributor, I have yet to figure my way around the site.) (on behalf of BabeMN) Equinox ◑ 21:05, 3 November 2011 (UTC)