Question
What is the definition and origin of the word nemesis?
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The word "nemesis" refers to a long-standing rival or arch-enemy, a source of harm or ruin, or, in a broader sense, an agent of someone's downfall or a punishment for hubris. It can also indicate a situation or event that is the ultimate downfall or defeat of a person or group.
The origin of "nemesis" can be traced back to the ancient Greek word "νέμεσις" (némesis), which means "that which is distributed" or "a distribution," stemming from the verb "νέμειν" (néménein), meaning "to distribute" or "to allocate." In ancient Greek mythology, Nemesis was the goddess of retribution and vengeance, personifying the idea of justice, particularly retribution against hubris and excessive pride. The concept emphasizes the balance of fortune, where individuals receive neither too much good fortune nor too much bad fortune, reflecting the idea of poetic justice.
Over time, the term evolved in English and is used to denote both the concept of inevitable justice and a formidable opponent.
The origin of "nemesis" can be traced back to the ancient Greek word "νέμεσις" (némesis), which means "that which is distributed" or "a distribution," stemming from the verb "νέμειν" (néménein), meaning "to distribute" or "to allocate." In ancient Greek mythology, Nemesis was the goddess of retribution and vengeance, personifying the idea of justice, particularly retribution against hubris and excessive pride. The concept emphasizes the balance of fortune, where individuals receive neither too much good fortune nor too much bad fortune, reflecting the idea of poetic justice.
Over time, the term evolved in English and is used to denote both the concept of inevitable justice and a formidable opponent.