metempsychosis

noun

me·tem·psy·cho·sis mə-ˌtem(p)-si-ˈkō-səs

ˌme-təm-ˌsī-

: the passing of the soul at death into another body either human or animal

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin, from Greek metempsychōsis, from metempsychousthai to undergo metempsychosis, from meta- + empsychos animate, from en- + psychē soul — more at psych-

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of metempsychosis was in 1591

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Metempsychosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metempsychosis. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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