mundus

Mundus is a Latin noun meaning world or universe. In English, the term provides the root for words such as mundane and is used in various scholarly and literary contexts to refer to the world or the cosmos.

In classical Latin, mundus denotes the world as the tangible cosmos and is used in philosophical and poetic works to contrast worldly affairs with divine or spiritual concerns. The sense of the word can extend to discussions of human life, nature, and the material order.

In Roman religious and ritual contexts, mundus also appears as a term for certain sacred spaces or features thought to mark a boundary between the living world and the realm of the dead. The precise nature and use of these spaces vary across sources and periods, but the concept reflects an idea of worlds within worlds and thresholds between them.

In modern usage, Mundus is often employed as a proper name in fiction and media, where it is used to designate worlds, realms, or characters. A well-known example is Mundus, the demon emperor in the Devil May Cry video game series.

Etymology and related terms: Mundus comes from Latin mundus and is related to the English word mundane, reflecting the historical link between “worldly” and “of this world.” It also connects with cognate forms in other Romance languages. See also mundane, world, and Latin terminology for world.