revenant etymology

Etymology

The word "revenant" derives from the French verb "revenir," meaning "to return." It first appeared in the late medieval period to describe someone who had returned from the dead.

Meaning

A revenant is a supernatural being, usually a ghost or undead creature, that returns to the world of the living for various reasons, such as seeking revenge, resolving unfinished business, or tormenting the living.

Origin

The concept of revenants has its roots in ancient folklore and mythology worldwide. Here are some of the possible origins of the belief in revenants:

• Ancestral Spirits: In many cultures, it was believed that the spirits of deceased ancestors could return to the world to protect or haunt their living descendants.
• Unnatural Deaths: Those who died suddenly, violently, or before their time were often said to return as vengeful revenants seeking justice or retribution.
• Unfinished Business: Revenants are often depicted as having unfinished tasks or regrets in the mortal world, which bind them to the realm of the living.
• Psychological Phenomena: Some cases of reported revenants may be attributed to psychological factors, such as hallucinations or the personification of subconscious fears and desires.
• Religious Beliefs: In some religious traditions, it is believed that the souls of the wicked or those who have committed certain sins may return to haunt the living until they are forgiven or punished.

Over time, the concept of revenants has been adapted into various works of literature, art, and popular culture, becoming a symbol of fear, the supernatural, and the power of the past over the present.

revenant relate terms

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• basis

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• become

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• circumvent

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• come

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• contravene

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• convene

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• convenient

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• convent

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• conventicle

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• convention

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• coven

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• diabetes

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• event

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• eventual

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• hyperbaton

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• hypnobate

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• intervene

  Etymology From Late Latin intervenire from Latin inter between venire to com

• intervenient

  Etymology Intervene Latin to come between ient Latin ing or tending to bec

• intervention

  Etymology Latin intervenire to come between Inter between venire to come

• invent

  Etymology invent v Middle English inventen from Latin invenire to come upon fro

• invention

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• inventory

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• juggernaut

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• misadventure

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• parvenu

  Etymology French parvenu past participle of parvenir to arrive reach Latin perv

• prevenient

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• prevent

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• provenance

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• provenience

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• revenant

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• revenue

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• souvenir

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• subvention

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• supervene

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• venire

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• venue

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• mortal

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• soul

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

• individual

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