nomos means the body of law, especially that governing human behaviour. It carries an Arena rating of 1662, earned across 3 head-to-head judged battles.
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, nomos ranks #2,008 of 13,217 for Words That Escaped Their Books, #2,323 of 13,217 for Most Elegant Words, #2,826 of 13,217 for Most Ponderous Words, #3,771 of 13,217 for Most Malleable Words.
Why “nomos” is a great word
A fundamental principle of law, custom, or convention that constitutes the normative architecture of human social order. From Ancient Greek νόμος (nómos, 'law, custom, division'), from Proto-Indo-European *nem- ('to assign, allot, take'). Unlike *physis* (the inherent, unchanging essence of nature) or *thesmos* (a specific, enacted decree), *nomos* is the vast, consensual fabric of the human world—the collectively built and maintained artifice. It is the shifting border on a map, the agreed-upon value of a stamped coin, and the silent understanding that determines who may speak and when; the fragile, magnificent warmth we huddle within, knowing the wind outside is older and colder.
Etymology
From Ancient Greek νόμος (nómos). Doublet of nome and namus.
noun
- The body of law, especially that governing human behaviour.
- A territorial division of ancient Egypt; a nome.
Words closest in meaning
By meaning, not spelling — each word's AI semantic fingerprint, nearest first.
- eunomy 83% match — Equal law, or a well-adjusted constitution of government. vs nomos →
- cleronomy 83% match — inheritance, heritage vs nomos →
- isonomia 83% match — Equality before the law; possession of equal rights; equal distribution of rights and privileges. vs nomos →
- nomism 83% match — The following of religious laws or commandments as the chief aspect of religiousness. vs nomos →
- theonomy 82% match — The state of being governed by God or in accordance with divine law. vs nomos →
- politeia 82% match — citizenship vs nomos →
- nomisma 81% match — Money or currency (modern). vs nomos →
- temenos 80% match — Ground under, surrounding and adjacent to a temple; a sacred enclosure or precinct. vs nomos →