psyche etymology

Etymology:

The word "psyche" comes from the ancient Greek word "ψυχή" (psukhē), meaning "soul," "mind," or "spirit."

Meaning and Origin:

In Greek mythology, Psyche was the beautiful personification of the human soul, often depicted with butterfly wings. Psyche's story involves her trials and tribulations in proving her worthiness to be the wife of Eros, the god of love.

The word "psyche" has come to have several meanings in English, including:

  • Soul or spirit: The immaterial essence or self that animates the human body and is believed to survive death.
  • Mind: The intellect or cognitive faculties of a person, including thoughts, emotions, and perceptions.
  • Psychology: The scientific study of mental processes, behaviors, and experiences.
  • Unconscious: The part of the mind that contains thoughts, memories, and impulses that are not accessible to conscious awareness.
  • Personality: The unique combination of traits, behaviors, and attitudes that define an individual.

The term "psyche" is often used in psychology to refer to the totality of a person's mental processes and experiences. It encompasses the conscious and unconscious mind, personality, and the sense of self.

psyche relate terms

  • spirit

    Etymology The word spirit is derived from the Latin word spiritus which means breat

  • conspire

    Etymology The word conspire comes from the Latin word conspirare which means to br

  • expire

    Etymology From Latin expirāre to breathe out die frequentative of exspīrāre to

  • inspire

    Etymology From Middle English insipyre from Anglo Norman French inspirer from Latin i

  • ghost

    Etymology Old English gāst ultimately derived from Proto Germanic gaistaz Cognate wi

  • spiritualism

    Etymology Spiritualism comes from the Latin words spiritus meaning breath or spiri

  • soul

    Etymology The word soul traces its origins to the Proto Indo European root h₂enh₂

  • metempsychosis

    Etymology From Greek μετεμψύχωσις metempsychōsis from μετεμψυχό

  • meta

    Etymology The word meta is derived from the Ancient Greek prefix μετα meta

  • psyche

    Etymology The word psyche comes from the ancient Greek word ψυχή psukhē mean

  • psychedelic

  • psychic

    Etymology The word psychic has its roots in the ancient Greek word psykhe which mea

  • psychoanalysis

    Etymology Psycho analysis Meaning A method of investigation and treatment of ment

  • head

    Etymology The word head comes from the Old English word heafod which itself derives

  • nous

    Etymology The word nous is derived from the Greek word νοῦς pronounced nows

  • incognito

    Etymology The word incognito originates from the Latin phrase in cognito which means

  • cognition

    Etymology Cognition is derived from the Latin word cognoscere meaning to know or to

  • bairn

    Etymology Middle English barne Old English bearn Proto Germanic barnaz Proto Indo E

  • brain

    Etymology The word brain is derived from the Old English word brægen which is cogna

  • mind

    Etymology Middle English minde from Old English mynd memory recollection remembran