1. plural of numen; divine spirits or supernatural forces believed to inhabit natural places or objects in ancient Roman religion
Usage: classical mythology; formal

Examples

• The ancient Romans believed that numina dwelt in sacred groves and springs.
• Each mountain and river was thought to have its own numina watching over it.
• The priest made offerings to the local numina before beginning the harvest.
• Roman soldiers would pray to the numina of their homeland for protection.
• The concept of numina reflected the Romans’ belief that divine power permeated the natural world.
• Scholars study how the Romans distinguished between major gods and lesser numina.