metempsychosis

[ muh-tem-suh-koh-sis, -temp-, met-uhm-sahy- ]

noun

, plural me·tem·psy·cho·ses [m, uh, -tem-s, uh, -, koh, -seez, -temp-, met-, uh, m-sahy-].

1. the transmigration of the soul, especially the passage of the soul after death from a human or animal to some other human or animal body.

metempsychosis

/ ˌmɛtəmsaɪˈkəʊsɪs /

noun

1. the migration of a soul from one body to another
2. the entering of a soul after death upon a new cycle of existence in a new body either of human or animal form

Derived Forms

• ˌmetempsyˈchosist, noun

Other Words From

• met·em·psy·chic [met-, uh, m-, sahy, -kik], me·tempsy·chosic me·tempsy·chosi·cal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of metempsychosis¹

1580–90; < Late Latin < Greek, equivalent to metempsȳchō-, variant stem of metempsȳchoûsthai to pass from one body into another ( met-, em- ², psycho- ) + -sis -sis

Word History and Origins

Origin of metempsychosis¹

C16: via Late Latin from Greek, from metempsukhousthai, from meta- + -em- in + psukhē soul

Example Sentences

Taking up Corinthians, Ortberg trumpets transition as ecstatic metempsychosis: flesh as the anticipation of resurrection, “an opportunity in the hands of the Lord.”

From New York Times

This was the famous theory of metempsychosis, which has permeated the whole of the East, and has made a permanent impression upon every one of the native religions.

From Project Gutenberg

Perhaps there is not a single throne that, if it was to be filled by this sort of voluntary metempsychosis, would not remain empty.

From Project Gutenberg

If I were half the Pythagorean that I used to be, I should believe they were souls in punishment—expiating some lifetime sin in this restless metempsychosis.

From Project Gutenberg

Animals are humanized—i. e., the kinship between animal and human life is still strongly felt, and this reminds us of those early animistic interpretations of nature, which subsequently led to doctrines of metempsychosis.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• comeback
• recovery
• rehabilitation
• rejuvenation
• renaissance
• renewal
• restoration
• revival